CB Engineering Apprenticeships

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CB Engineering Apprenticeships
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MESAB PROJECT

• OTTE funded to advise training system
  stakeholders of industry agreed system.
• Presentations to TAFE providers, GTCs, NACs.
• Brochure - content agreed by OTTE, Employer
  Associations and Unions.

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Drivers of Change

• Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
• removal of reference to time in apprenticeships,
• completion based on achievement of competency
  units.
• Apprentices be certified as competent by a
  State or Territory Training Authority without the
  need to make a special application when they have
  demonstrated competence to industry standards
• through the amendment of training legislation and
  administrative procedures where necessary and
• by removing references to fixed duration from
  awards and legislation in all jurisdictions where
  such awards prevent early sign off based on
  competency.

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Drivers of Change

• Victorian Maintaining the Advantage Policy
• Vic Govt and Industry to accelerate
  apprenticeship completions.
• Victorian Inquiry into VET
• DET negotiate with Industry to implement
  competency based rather than time-served
  apprenticeships - to be linked with strengthened
  QA and auditing, and dispute resolution process.
• Metal, Engineering Associated Industries Award
• competency based progression and completion of
  apprenticeships
• increased apprenticeship wages depending on level
  of schooling achieved
• Stage 1 entry
• Stage 2 on completion of 25, or 12 months
  (whichever earlier)
• Stage 3 on completion of 50, or 12 months
  (whichever earlier)
• Stage 4 on completion of 75, or 12 months
  (whichever earlier)
• progress and completion is by agreement between
  TAFE provider, employer and apprentice.

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Key Components of System

• record keeping TAFE
• assessment decisions TAFE (employer
  confirmation)
• TAFE responsibilities on training contract
  unchanged
• sign-off of trade training pgm completion of
  apprenticeship
• improved communication arrangements critical
• advice to employers when apprentices moving to
  the next stage
• show cause dispute resolution process
  (assessment evidence critical)
• State Training Authority and Industry to agree on
  audit measures

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Ideal Scenario ?

• TAFE providers and a STA that is working towards
  growing the apprenticeship system and in
  particular, engineering trades
• great TAFE communication processes with employers
  and potential apprentices email, letters, third
  parties, log books, visits, marketing,
  apprentices
• a TAFE training service that allows business to
  remain the top priority rather than a institute
  timetable
• flexible trade programs that allow
  non-traditional employers to use the
  apprenticeship system
• teachers that know and routinely deal with their
  clients (employers)

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Dissenting Views?

• trades have been shortened
• trades are now 3 years
• there is now less funding
• it is de-skilling trades
• employers dont want this
• TAFEs need more money
• current OTTE funding model is a barrier
• TAFE look after off-job only
• some TAFEs need central guidance, pro-formas,
  independent 3rd parties, and are unhappy with new
  requirements.
• Industry has placed its faith in TAFE providers!

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Summary

• changes driven by COAG and peak Industry
  representatives
• changes designed to attract apprentices (higher
  starting pay for higher school levels, progress
  through pay rates and early completion based on
  extra effort)
• changes designed to allow employers a greater say
  on what, when and how
• the integrity and regard for apprenticeships
  needs to increase through this process