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How much extra work for operational officers with crewmembers on a
programme?
The training of firefighters/officers in a TAPS core progression
programme is primarily the responsibility of National Training
however the OIC and crew will be involved.
Students on the programme will have distance learning that will
require some theory based study which will be spread between
personal and work time. Work-based study should be programmed into
the day and is an SMS output measure. There is a heavy practical
focus to the programmes. This means there will be a need for
students to undertake particular drills or revise a variety of
practical based skills to prepare for the practical course. This
will need to be done on shift and requires guidance from the OIC or,
in the case of recruit or qualified firefighter, a suitable senior
firefighter. Once again this is an SMS output measure.
Basically, as an officer, TAPS is providing you a structured means
to fulfill your responsibility to train, mentor and coach your crew
members.
Each programme has a consolidation period. By referring to a
students consolidation log book an officer will be provided a list
of ideas/suggestions for drills as it provides a list of drills and
practical activities that the student needs to complete.
All of these activities are relevant on job training and will
provide quality training opportunities for the entire crew. In the
case of the senior firefighter programme, the student is tasked to
plan and conduct a variety of drills and tasks so the student is in
effect completing some of the OIC’s workload.
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What difference is there between volunteer and career TAPS?
Advancement in the career arm of the service is attained by
completing the career TAPS programmes in conjunction with the
requirements of the Collective Employment Agreement. Advancement in
the volunteer arm is attained by completing the relevant volunteer
TAPS programmes.
The main difference in the programmes themselves exist in the
relative depth and breadth of content (subject matter), duration and
links to qualifications.
You can compare the programmes by referring to the detailed
information for all programmes at Firenet/Training/TAPS.
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How will the Fire Service manage the transition to TAPS?
The Fire Service and the NZPFU have agreed on how to transition
staff to the TAPS programmes. The transition has the goal of “no
disadvantage”. This means that while the majority of firefighters
will take their next progression step through TAPS, some may stay on
the phase course system until that particular progression step has
been completed. Some may get their promotion fast-tracked. An
example of fast-tracking is firefighters currently part-way through
QF in the old system who will be eligible for promotion after only
two years service instead of three as stated in the current CEA
(this will only occur for those who would be disadvantaged compared
to others who will qualify to QF under TAPS). This transition will
be explained fully during the road show and those affected will be
advised individually.
Anyone starting a new progression step will do so in the TAPS
environment.
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So
how long will we be in transition?
Transition will continue until everyone in the “old” system has
completed their progression step on this system. This will mean
completing relevant phase courses, passing the exam and serving the
appropriate time. This should take approximately 12 months.
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What happens to me if I end up with a part pass in SO? Will my paper
A, B or C be recognised, how and for how long?.
In the case of A or B part pass you will have one final opportunity
to gain the other paper during a restricted entry exam which will
occur in June 2008. In the case of paper C, there will be a limited
time ( approximately 12 months during transition) where you should
sit and pass paper C.
If you still have only a part pass (paper A or B) after the final
restricted entry exam then you will need to complete part of the
TAPS SO programme. This will be managed by you completing the
distance learning assignments that correlate to the paper you
require, followed by an exam based on distance learning. If, at this
stage, you gain the qualification then you will move on to the TAPS
SO practical course and the consolidation phase, after which you
will be deemed qualified. If, however, you fail to gain the required
paper you will have to start the TAPS SO programme from the
beginning.
For the few firefighters that have only paper ‘C’ you will, if you
wish, be put on to the full SO programme.
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How much time will be involved in each progression step?
The Collective Employment Agreement (CEA) requires you to complete
two years service at each rank to be eligible for promotion. Each
TAPS programme is designed to be completed within this timeframe.
Actual anticipated timeframes for progression can be found in the
guide or on the Firenet.
The main differences between TAPS and the “old system” is that
recruits can make QFF in two years instead of three and that it will
take a minimum of six years to progress from recruit to SO.
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What
happens if you fail any part of the programme?
National Training has developed a Reassessment Policy which sets out
in detail what happens if an individual is struggling or doesn’t
pass a given component of a programme. A change from the phase
course system is that all theory and practical components of a TAPS
programme are assessed and are pass/fail. An important aspect of
TAPS is that your programme trainer will be providing you feedback
throughout the programme, this means that any problems or
difficulties can be picked up early and corrective actions can be
put in place. There are no ‘attendance only’ courses in any TAPS
programme.
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How
do I gain entry to a programme?
For new firefighters the TAPS programmes are streamed in a logical
sequence and are aimed at keeping groups (called cohorts) together
right through to promotion to senior firefighter. For those wishing
to start a new progression step they will need to apply for that
programme through the normal channel. The relevant pre-requisites
are as per the CEA.
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Could there be variation on assessment standards across the country?
Trainers and assessors have all been carefully selected and trained
to ensure consistency. All are approved by the NZPFU and National
Training. All assessments are subject to moderation and are
recognised by the New Zealand Qualification Authority. National
Training has a National Moderator who is responsible for ensuring
absolute consistency nation wide.
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Who are the assessors and who will be doing my assessments?
These are NZFS GTE registered assessors, approved by the NZPFU and
assigned to each programme and cohort. They have completed the TAPS
Train the Trainer programme for the programme they train and assess
in.
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What specialist programmes are available for volunteer support
officers, trainers, fire safety officers etc.?
Training for these specialist roles will be delivered on an
individual basis as the need arises. As soon as National Training
has bedded TAPS in for career operational staff, they will turn
their attention to the development of programmes for specialist
roles.
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Do I have to have time in a specialist role to gain promotion?
No. All progression is as per the Collective Employment Agreement.
However, time in one or more specialist fields may be an advantage
at interview time.
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Will I get time during shift to study?
Your crew OIC manages your time as per the Station Plan.
Study time and skills maintenance are both SMS outputs and TAPS is
both personal development and progression within the Fire Service.
As part of their obligation to train, coach and mentor you, your OIC
should allocate you reasonable time on shift. You will however be
expected to also commit personal time to completing study and
assignments.
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What if I
hold brevet rank in a specialist role?
To gain substantive rank you must meet the requirements of the
Collective Employment Agreement which includes the relevant TAPS
programme.
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What plans are there, if any, for TAPS in the next 5-10 years?.
TAPS is a significant change for the NZFS. The first thing is to bed
the new system in. National Training plan to closely monitor the
first cohorts to complete the programmes and address any issues that
may arise. Improvement to the learner material is expected as we get
feedback from staff actually doing the programmes. In the longer
term , other than incremental improvements, we wish to adopt the
principal of e-learning for example, to enhance the learner
experience.
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