16 Warrumbungle Shire Council Trade, Urban Services and Plumbing employees, responsible for managing seven cemeteries across six townships in the Warrumbungle region, have recently completed a specialised gravedigging training course through TAFE NSW.

Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Denis Todd, said “We are committed to upskilling our employees and pride ourselves on the services we provide to our communities.”

“Council has an obligation to ensure employees have the appropriate qualifications and training to undertake tasks required in the provision of these services. The ability to have had this training delivered by TAFE NSW in Dunedoo and Coonabarabran, was a great opportunity for Council.

“To have TAFE NSW come to us avoids the difficult and expensive situation that occurs when our employees must travel long distances to meet training commitments,” Mayor Todd said.

TAFE NSW Landscape Construction and Irrigation Teacher, David Sharpe, said he was thrilled to be working with Warrumbungle Shire Council once again to deliver the training.

“This is the second time TAFE Enterprise has customised face-to-face and on-site workplace assessment gravedigging training for Warrumbungle Shire Council. TAFE NSW regularly delivers the course to various Councils and Trust Cemetery Operations throughout NSW.

“Digging a grave within a cemetery is a very complex operation, which can provide a number of potential risks. The digging of a grave is performed in confined space, using earth-moving equipment amongst existing graves and monuments.

"This training has equipped the employees with the skills and knowledge to ensure the preparation of a grave provides a safe surrounding for them and for families in their time of need and reflection when they are placing their loved ones to rest.

To learn more about customised and unique training courses to help businesses and organisations meet specific needs, visit tafensw.edu.au/enterprise or phone 131 601.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.