Maintenance Of Competence Portal

Recognised types of learning

Review the sections of the Guideline “Recognised Types of Learning” section 8.3 and “Criteria for types of learning” section 8.4 to ensure claims are eligible.

Remember that some areas and types of learning have hours capped, or a minimum MUST be reached – the MoC Portal does the calculations of this for you.

Formal: As gazetted, for a formal learning type to satisfy the meaning of formal learning, learning must be presented:

• by a suitably qualified person whose relevant qualifications and experience are stated in the learning materials accompanying the learning, and
• in an environment which is appropriate, safe and adequately resourced for learning, and
• in a formal delivery structure, including with the following— — a set location and start/finish time, — the provision of a presentation or learning materials.

The evidence must be obtained by the holder and retained with the holder’s logbook, electronically or in hardcopy. Refer to 8.4.1 for more guidance. Examples of formal learning types are any structured tertiary qualification, presentation, seminar, webinar, training course, workshop, conference, or forum. Refer to list of types claimable in 8.3.

Informal: There is a gazetted meaning for informal learning, which is the informal learning types listed.

The recognised informal learning types generally fall into one of two descriptions:

• semi organised and structured learning of a more ad hoc basis. For example, reading, field trips and emergency exercises
• a by-product of experience in participating or carrying out an activity. For example, participating in high level risk assessments (not everyday types), and participating in reviewing principal hazard management plans. This would typically be gained on the job such as when exercising the statutory function.

Completing formal versus informal learning

There are now no minimum or maximum requirements for completing formal or informal learning. You can claim any learning type that is relevant to your practising certificate function(s) under one of the three groups of learning and their suggested topics in section 6. Caps for maximum amount of learning you could claim for certain formal learning types at 50% of total formal learning hours have been removed. For example, seminars and inhouse training courses. The caps for informal learning types have been made more flexible by changing them from a maximum of 4 hours per year to 20 hours over the 5 years of the certificate. You can claim the cap whenever you are involved in the learning activity during the 5 years up to a maximum of 20 hours. For example, reading. Refer to 8.3.

As per section 8.4.3 of the guide, the following are generally not accepted:

• unstructured conversations with other mine workers, unless they are part of a mentoring program, or equivalent
• time allocated to lunches and breaks at conferences, workshops, seminars, training courses
• general meetings with clients, lawyers, government officers, suppliers or similar
• attending and contributing to community service organisation meetings or local council meetings, unless you are gaining relevant skills, (e.g., leadership and management)
• generic inductions where content does not specifically apply to exercising the statutory function
• interactions with the Resources Regulator for enforcement only (and not for compliance e.g. participating in a Regulator audit/assessment at a mine, an information/education program or another eligible learning type e.g. reviewing a principal hazard or control plan in preparation).