About the organisation
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT) is a public entity purposed with providing cemetery, cremation and related support services to the community on the government’s behalf. Known for their commitment to respectful and enduring care, SMCT supports diverse communities through burial, cremation and memorial services. The organisation places strong emphasis on professionalism, community trust and safe environments.

The need
SMCT set out to transform a complex collection of over 80 equipment manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into a streamlined, accessible training program. The goal was to create a structured learning experience that would make safety practices easier to understand, apply and communicate—across multiple sites and a wide range of roles. While equipment manuals and informal knowledge sharing remain essential, SMCT recognised the need for a consistent, engaging training approach that could bring everything together, strengthen safety culture and build practical confidence on the job.

The learning solution
Working closely with SMCT, we began by sorting and categorising their existing materials to uncover the key themes, risks and operational needs. From this, we developed a clear training structure that reflected how staff actually work—with a focus on hands-on tasks, real-world scenarios and shared safety expectations across teams.
The final training suite included:
- 6 eLearning modules that follow a consistent Plan → Use → Pack Up format
- A Trainer Guide with step-by-step instructions and adaptable delivery tips
- On-the-job skills checks to assess practical competency in real work environments
- A poster to reinforce key safety steps in shared spaces
Each element was designed to be practical, engaging and easy to update as procedures evolve.

The outcome
The new training program has helped SMCT bring clarity, consistency and structure to its safety procedures—making them easier to learn, easier to teach and easier to follow. Staff now have access to clear guidance, realistic practice and role-specific assessments that support confidence on the job. The project also gave SMCT a scalable framework for future training needs, grounded in real operational tasks and safety-critical behaviours.
Snapshot
Client
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT)
Area
Project Duration
3 months
Tools
• Rise 360
• Above Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Miro
• MS Teams
Delivery Method
Objective
To transform a complex collection of over 80 equipment manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into a streamlined, accessible training program.
Learning Strategies
• Hand-on practice
• Real-world scenarios
• Videos
• Links to additional resources
• Guided on-the-job activities and assessments
• Job aid to reinforce key safety steps
Deliverables
• 6 eLearning modules that follow a consistent Plan → Use → Pack Up format
• A Trainer Guide with step-by-step instructions and adaptable delivery tips
• On-the-job skills checks to assess practical competency in real work environments
• A poster to reinforce key safety steps in shared spaces
Snapshot

Client
Southern Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust (SMCT)

Area
WHS/OHS

Project Duration
3 months

Tools
• Rise 360
• Above Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Miro
• MS Teams

Delivery Method
Blended (eLearning and face-to-face)

Objectives
To transform a complex collection of over 80 equipment manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) into a streamlined, accessible training program.

Learning Strategies
• Hand-on practice
• Real-world scenarios
• Videos
• Links to additional resources
• Guided on-the-job activities and assessments
• Job aid to reinforce key safety steps

Deliverables
• 6 eLearning modules that follow a consistent Plan → Use → Pack Up format
• A Trainer Guide with step-by-step instructions and adaptable delivery tips
• On-the-job skills checks to assess practical competency in real work environments
• A poster to reinforce key safety steps in shared spaces
The team

Lara: Senior Instructional Designer

Michael: Senior Instructional Designer
