MEM31922 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade

Prior Qualifications

No prior qualifications are required for entry in to this course

Language, Literacy and Numeracy

Students require language, literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to the descriptions below.

The programme is a flexible delivery programme, delivered to suit the requirements of the student.

Apprentices may take 6-48 months (according to apprenticeship requirements) to complete the curriculum. RPL for Trade students may complete the course in a lesser time subject to meeting eligibility criteria. The standard enrolment term for a novice is 36 months.

Credit Transfer (CT) and Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) are offered to all students.

Credit Transfer in this instance means recognition of previously completed formal training in identical or equivalent UoCs (units of competency) to those that are included in the MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade. A copy of your certificate or statement of attainment that lists the relevant UoCs is required for Credit Transfer (CT) options to be evaluated.

RPL is a way of using your existing skills and knowledge to get a formal qualification. It considers qualifications and documentary evidence you already have in your portfolio.  Even without documentary evidence, where you believe you have most or all of the required knowledge and skills for the qualification you seek recognition for, you may apply for RPL.  Once your full application is evaluated, and following NAM Training’s Training Needs Analysis (TNA) interview, you may not need to receive training. You may only require assessment of your current knowledge and skills.

The RPL assessment process is no less rigorous than any other assessment.

The minimum requirements for achievement of the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade are:

• completion of all 12 Core units of competency (UoCs)

AND

• a selection of Generic or Trade Specialisation UoCs plus General elective options. The selection is based upon the qualification rules, industry stream, workplace/industry standards and the client’s needs.

The number of UoCs varies according to the total weighting (points value) of the selected UoCs. The required number of these UoCs ranges from 19-24.

NAM Training offers a selection of Fabrication Trade Generic and Trade Specialisation UoCs for various industry streams. See examples below.

Core UoCs

MEM09002 Interpret technical drawing
MEM11011 Undertake manual handling
MEM12023 Perform engineering measurements
MEM12024 Perform computations
MEM13015 Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
MEM14006 Plan work activities
MEM16006 Organise and communicate information
MEM16008 Interact with computing technology
MEM17003 Assist in the provision of on-the-job training
MEM18001 Use hand tools
MEM18002 Use power tools/hand held operations
MSMENV272 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Examples of Fabrication Trade Stream and Trade Specialisation UoCs for various industries

Surface Finishing

Boilermaking/Welding

MEM12007 Mark off/out structural fabrications and shapes

MEM05005 Carry out mechanical cutting

MEM05037 Perform geometric development

MEM05051 Select welding processes

MEM05052 Apply safe welding practices

MEM05012 Perform routine manual metal arc welding

MEM05050 Perform routine gas metal arc welding

Apprenticeship Contract

This programme is delivered entirely on-the-job at the apprentice’s workplace in paid work hours. The delivery will occur in employer provided venues.

Delivery strategies and the training programme sequence are based upon the experience levels of apprentices and/or employer instructions. UoC selection within Learning and Assessment Plans will reflect both workplace and industry standards.

Training delivery will consist of a combination of a face to face approach, of one-to-one and groups of apprentices, dependent upon apprentices’ needs and the availability of on-site facilities.

The trainer will negotiate the training and assessment arrangements in direct consultation with enterprise representatives who are responsible for current work skills training within the organisation as well as site management officials where relevant.

Where applicable, UoCs that are pre-requisites for other UoCs will be trained and assessed first or where required, as combined UoCs to suit individual worksite requirements.

Volume of Learning

The following information relates to a novice and may vary in accordance with the existing knowledge and skills of the apprentice:

• 30 classroom sessions of 4 hours covering the theory component of the programme, totalling 120 hours over the apprenticeship contract
• 30 workshop demonstration sessions of 4 hours covering the skills component of the programme, totalling 120 hours over the apprenticeship contract
• Minimum of 60 supervised work based activities of on average of 4 hours each, totalling 240 hours over the apprenticeship contract
• An average of 180 hours of reading and research is required over the apprenticeship contract
• An average of 180 hours of associated consultation and post assessment validation over the apprenticeship contract

This totals an average of 840 hours over the apprenticeship contract.

RPL for Trade

A full RPL pathway may be undertaken without a Training Contract subject to a student meeting NAM Training’s eligibly criteria. Access to a relevant workplace operation and equipment may also be required.

RPL

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) strategies may include credit transfer, evaluation of work samples, oral questioning, observation, evaluation of resume and third party report/s.

Assessment Only

Assessment only strategies may include credit transfer, work samples, written assessment, oral questioning, observation, and third party reports.

Assessment Modes

Assessment modes will be flexible to suit the needs of the student and employer. Assessment tools will consist of a combination of Knowledge Based Tests (KBT), Oral Questioning (OQ), Observation of Skills (Obs), Third Party Report (TPR), Portfolio (PF), Project (P) and Role Play (RP).

The following gives an overview of course fees. Full details and refund information and concession rates are provided to Employers in the Funding Schedule document or to private candidates by email or paper copy.

State Government Funded Course Fees

Western Australia

Apprentices may be eligible for funding subsidies through JOBS & SKILLS WA.  This funding significantly reduces training costs.

Funding is subject to availability.

Funding eligibility is determined by the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) when Training Contracts are negotiated for apprentices.

Course Fees are payable by under this arrangement and are charged when Units of Competency (UoCs) are commenced. Course Fees are charged in accordance with the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (WADTWD) Vocational Education and Training (VET) Fees Policy for the current calendar year.

Course Fees are also called Tuition Fees in WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (WADTWD) publications.   WADTWD caveat states ‘The Student tuition fees are indicative only and are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Additional fees may apply such as student service and resource fees’.

Course Fees are calculated according to the nominal hours of the UoCs in the enrolment, the year in which each Unit is started and the rate per nominal hour stipulated in the WADTWD VET Fees and Charges Policy for the relevant calendar year. Each new calendar year Course Fees will align with WADTWD Vocational Education and Training (VET) Fees Policy for the new calendar year. The Standard Course Fee rate for apprenticeships is $3.25 per nominal hour for UoCs commencing in 2024.

Any UoCs that are not started in one year attract fees according to the subsequent year in which they are started where applicable.

The nominal hours of a Qualification is the sum of the nominal hours of all of the UoCs that make up the Qualification.  Slight variations occur according to the mix of UoCs selected in the Qualification. This Qualification has an average total of 864 nominal hours.

Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade has been nominated by Jobs & Skills WA as a targeted fee relief course.  For applicable apprenticeships, Course Fees are half price at $1.62 per nominal hour for UoCs commencing in 2024.

The maximum course fee for non-concession students undertaking a targeted fee relief course in 2024 is $1,200.  For concession students and youth (aged 15-24), the maximum course fee for undertaking a targeted fee relief course in 2024 is $400. These maximums apply per course in 2024.

Full training and assessment pathway

Following apprenticeship or traineeship contract sign up and/or registration, invoices will be issued upon commencement of one or more UoCs for each student as applicable for Course Fees.

A statement of invoices will be issued on a monthly basis.

If a student discontinues training, outstanding Course Fees as calculated on commenced UoCs must be paid.

All fees must be paid in full prior to Certification

Part RPL/part training and assessment

The fees approach, costs and conditions are the same as for the above Full training and assessment pathway, except a 50% concession on the $3.25 Standard Course Fee rate will apply to any UoCs achieved via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). No concessions or fee caps apply to RPL Course Fees. 

If a student withdraws before the RPL assessment is completed, an additional ’Incomplete RPL Fee’ applies.

Privately funded course fees

An apprenticeship contract is compulsory for candidates enrolling in this Trade Qualification, unless a full RPL Pathway is applicable.

Full training and assessment pathway

The total charge for MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade is $9684.  This includes the necessary training for certain High Risk UoCs where applicable, but does not include any associated assessment and licensing fees.

NAM Training’s standard enrolment term for a novice is 3 years; therefore, most commonly the fees would be spread over this term.

A Registration Fee applies at $300 per candidate.

Remaining fees are charged as UoCs are commenced.

Fees are calculated pro rata according to the number of Units of Competency in the enrolment. For example, if there are 36 UoCs in the qualification, each UoC will be charged at $9684, less the $300 Registration Fee divided by 36 which equates to $260.66 each.

Part RPL/part training and assessment

A Registration Fee applies at $300 per candidate.

Where a candidate completes the Qualification via part Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and part training and assessment, a 25% RPL discount will apply to fees for any UoCs achieved via RPL.

Following the Registration Fee, remaining fees are charged as UoCs are commenced at the rate applicable to the nominated pathway for each UoC, that is either full training and assessment rate, or the 25% RPL discounted rate.

Full RPL pathway – Where the Employer is responsible for the fees

A Registration Fee applies at $300 per candidate.

Where NAM Training’s Training Needs Analysis (TNA) process determines that a candidate is suitable for a full Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway, the term of the Qualification will be reduced to between three and thirteen months, depending on scheduling arrangements and any Contracts in place between the candidate, Employer and the Apprenticeship Network Provider.

Once a full RPL pathway has been established, the remaining cost of the Qualification will be discounted by 50% to $4372

Under full RPL pathways, assessment will usually commence on all of the UoCs in the qualification at the same time.

Fees apply as follows:

Invoice 1: Registration Fee: $300

Invoice 2: RPL Commencement Fee (when RPL commencement date is scheduled):  $2186

Invoice 3: RPL Balance of Fees (when RPL mid process steps are scheduled):  $2186

Full RPL pathway – Where the individual Student is responsible for the fees

The various parts of the RPL process will be undertaken in Stages, with no more then $1500  being charged for any individual Stage

Fees apply as follows:

Invoice 1: Registration Fee: $300

Invoices 2 & 3: $1500 each prior to start of RPL Stages 1 & 2 respectively  

Invoice 4: $1372 prior to RPL Stage 3