MPL Training offers comprehensive, hands-on training for new and licensed pest managers at its unique training sites across the country.
Over the last 25 years, pest management has evolved from chemical-based treatments to pest managers practising integrated pest management. With this change in focus within the industry, pest control training has also evolved from knowledge-or content-based training to competency-and assessment-based learning. The new National Training Package for Urban Pest Management reflects this, as obtaining a pest control or timber pest licence means completing significant hands-on training and gaining supervised, on-site practical experience. Undoubtedly, the best places to take these courses are learning institutions that recreate real-life pest control scenarios, led by tutors who willingly share their many years of pest management experience.
MPL Training is a bit different to other training organisations in this regard. Not only can it deliver the full range of new pest control and termite management courses, but its trainers and assessors are all recognised industry experts, with a combined pest management industry experience of over 250 years!
But perhaps MPL’s biggest point of difference is its purpose-built training facilities in Brisbane and Sydney. Boasting a range of simulated treatment areas – commercial kitchen, domestic kitchen, bar and motel room – students can experience a realistic practical lesson in identifying insect hotspots and treating accordingly. Practical classes are supported by fully set up pest management vehicles and the latest pest inspection equipment (Termatrac, thermal cameras and borescope), so the training is as close as possible to real on-the-job situations. With pest identification often a weakness in newly qualified technicians, MPL Training also has a large library of insect species and samples of pest-damaged materials to improve the learning outcomes, rather than just relying on photos in textbooks.
With headquarters on the Central Coast of NSW, MPL training has training venues in Brisbane (Archerfield and Rocklea) and Sydney (Yennora, Silverwater and North Rocks), while face-to-face training takes place in Melbourne at the training facility of an industry supplier. As well as having industry-leading, in-person training facilities, MPL also offers a range of remote training options. In addition, all training programs can be tailored to meet the needs of larger clients, with in-house training offered to companies with five or more students.
With the new National Training Package for Urban Pest Management introduced earlier in 2021, it’s good to know that all MPL Training is compliant with the new requirements. Its in-house facilities combined with the ability to source learning opportunities off-site means students will get quality practical experience to meet these new requirements.
MPL Training: A team of experts
MPL Training was founded in 2004 by Matthew Lawther, who holds a BSc in Biology, Environmental Studies and Education and currently acts as an Emeritus Principal at MPL Training. Over the years, many thousands of students would have benefited from Mr Lawther’s knowledge and experience.
MPL Training is now led by Dr Deling Ma (main picture, centre), who obtained his PhD in Entomology and Zoology from The University of Queensland in 2001. Dr Ma worked as a research entomologist for a number of years, yielding more than 30 publications, before turning his hand to urban pest management. After working with Amalgamated Pest Control (now part of Flick) for several years, Dr Ma founded Eco-Global Termite Doctor in 2008. Later, he was followed by his former Amalgamated Pest Control colleagues, Enzo Pilotti and Gary Cochrane (now a full-time trainer/assessor at MPL). Together they developed Eco-Global into a successful pest management business in Brisbane.
The merger of Eco-Global and MPL Training in 2019 was to the benefit of both organisations. The last two years have seen a significant expansion of MPL training. Recently the current team of experienced trainers and assessors, which also includes Ray Brookes, Shane Rich and Steve King, has further expanded to welcome Raja Mahendran and Kristy Dawson. These recognised industry experts have years of experience working for pest control companies and suppliers, along with significant entomological expertise.
The supportive MPL administration team sees business development manager Courtney Magee taking the lead as chief administrator supported by admin assistant Sue Heron. Compliance officers Michelle Feast and Tara Lee play a vital role in ensuring that all training materials, policies and procedures are compliant.
The wide-ranging experience of the team provides MPL students with a knowledge bank they can tap into, for the best possible start in the pest control industry.
