NZQA External Evaluation Report

Review (EER) Rules 2013, which are made by NZQA under section 253 of the Education Act 1989 and approved by the NZQA Board and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.

Self-assessment and participation in external evaluation and review are requirements for maintaining accreditation to provide an approved programme for all TEOs other than universities. The requirements are set through the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013, which are also made by NZQA under section 253 of the Education Act 1989 and approved by the NZQA Board and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment.

The external evaluation and review (EER) looked at the following two focus areas. These covered occupational health and safety training, specifically the four with the most trainees:

1. Working at Height, Confined Space, Elevated Platforms, Permit to Work

2. Management across the 10 approved permanent delivery sites.

Focus Areas:

1. 2.1 Focus area: Occupational health and safety courses
   The rating in this focus area for educational performance is Excellent
   The rating for capability in self-assessment for this focus area is Excellent

2. 2.2 Focus area: Management of the 10 delivery sites
   The rating in this focus area for educational performance is Excellent
   The rating for capability in self-assessment for this focus area is Excellent

Achievement is excellent because nearly all trainees (92-99 per cent in the past two years) complete and achieve competency in the courses they enrol in. These rates of achievement are subject to appropriate checks that trainers are effective, training materials are fit for purpose, and assessment is valid. Māori and Pasifika trainees achieve at the same rate as the overall achievement rate. This equality in achievement shows that these trainees’ needs are well met.

Trainees gain knowledge and skills directly related to their workplace, and training often includes workplace equipment, policies and procedures, which contributes significantly to applying the learning in the workplace to improve safety. Trainees may improve their literacy and numeracy through a recent addition of access to Pathways Awarua.

The client companies contacted at this evaluation confirmed that their safety record continues to improve, although this is not solely attributable to their employees’ success on safety courses. Safety ‘n Action monitors and evaluates all courses. Detailed achievement data is collated and analysed and reviewed course by course and across courses. This information is used effectively to make improvements, for example to new equipment, or by the inclusion of client company procedures in the training. Safety ‘n Action’s company surveys confirm that trainees’ learning is applied in the workplace. This was also confirmed by the sample group contacted by the evaluators.

The value of the outcomes for trainees and client companies are significant, with all training directly linked to workplace contexts.
Trainees are able to apply their competencies in the workplace. There was some anecdotal evidence of trainees using their new knowledge and awareness in the wider community, for example improving safety awareness and equipment in their homes or on their marae.
Trainees and client companies are surveyed post-course, with ratings and comments analysed in detail. The data and analysis sighted at this evaluation confirms that Safety ‘n Action has an in-depth understanding of the value of the courses to the trainees and client companies. Most survey responses are positive – a very small percentage of comments include areas for improvement. These relate primarily to factors such as room temperature or food rather than the value or effectiveness of the training.

Safety ‘n Action is proactive in anticipating changes in health and safety legislation, as evidenced by its relationship with WorkSafe.3 Safety ‘n Action has been contracted to deliver update seminars for recent changes in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, and to develop an asbestos course in anticipation of legislation coming into force in April 2018.