A career in traffic management can take you to many places.
Most people think of traffic control as a job without much opportunity for career progression but that is in fact not the case. Starting with a basic traffic management certification can lead to an array of different future positions and lucrative job prospects.
Basic Traffic Management and Traffic Control
This is the most entry-level certification that Workmate Training Academy offer and can be a great starting f point for people looking to get into traffic management and traffic control. This certification is mandatory if you want to control traffic on roads in WA. You will be provided with a combination of practical knowledge and theory that qualifies you to install and maintain traffic management signs and equipment at job sites or at events and to control traffic using a stop/slow bat or some of our new innovative technology like portable traffic lights or boom gates.
Traffic controllers will, most often, be managing traffic during roadworks or at large events where there will be a large number and mixture of vehicles and pedestrians. You will also be able direct pedestrians.
Once you have held your basic worksite traffic management and traffic controller certification for at least one year, you can advance and attain your Worksite Traffic Management qualification with which you will be able to make onsite adjustments to the traffic plans and also check plans designed by an AWTM. You will be able to manage traffic on worksites or at different events as long as you keep all your tickets current. You will be able to assist with implementing a traffic management plan that aligns with WHS policies and procedures.
Advanced Worksite Traffic Management
After attaining your basic traffic control certifications and spending at least a year working in the traffic management industry you can become an Advanced Worksite Traffic Manager. This is a comprehensive course that focuses on theoretical learning and implementation.
Upon completion, you will be able to prepare targeted traffic management plans and traffic guidance schemes that direct traffic controllers on how traffic will be managed and how to set a worksite up. You will also be required to implement and carry out risk management processes.
Once an advanced traffic control certification has been achieved this will allow you to perform more tasks and take on more responsibilities within whatever traffic management business you end up in. You can become a planner or even advance further if required. The longer you work on traffic guidance and management the more opportunity you will have to advance your career.
Career Opportunities Include:
Road Asset Management – Involves in-depth analysis and strategic decision making to create solutions on WA roads.
Road Safety – involves strategic development of local road safety programs, especially around schools and other high-risk areas. Road Safety Officers must ensure a safe flow of traffic around any incidents or events.
AutoCAD Traffic Planning – involves the use of a specific application to create detailed and accurate traffic guidance schemes for the safe flow of traffic. This course also teaches drafting and editing skills.
Road Design, Construction and Maintenance – there are also opportunities for more trade-based jobs. Typically these would require their own qualifications but the same expertise can be built up within a company after starting as only a basic traffic controller.
Operations Assistance and Project Management – you can progress to management positions after gaining a high level of experience. Starting as a traffic controller, you could eventually progress to you planning or even maintaining entire traffic projects.
TMA Operators
Workmate Training Academy also offers a short course that will give participants the information and skills they need to operate a truck-mounted attenuator for traffic management in Western Australia. The main function of a TMA is to keep errant vehicles out of a worksite. The TMA operator has the responsibility of ensuring the safety of all the members of a Traffic crew and the workers. They utilise traffic control methods to maintain safe traffic flow and protect the traffic management staff and clients from large or out of control vehicles that could impact the site safety. The TMA is an MR or HR truck with the attenuator mounted to the back to absorb a potential impact and double as a barrier to keep the work and traffic crew safe.
There are many different career opportunities that can arise from completing an entry-level basic traffic management course with Workmate Training Academy. If you are interested feel free to contact us with any enquiries or view the rest of our courses here.