Course Outline
Descriptor
This qualification defines the skills and knowledge required for a higher engineering tradesperson within metal, engineering, manufacturing and associated industries.
The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range of engineering work.
It provides the skills and knowledge for a person to understand and implement quality control techniques, exercise good interpersonal and communications skills, work from complex instructions and procedures, exercise discretion within the scope of responsibility, perform work under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment, be responsible for assuring the quality of their own work, provide trade guidance and assistance as part of a work team, perform non-trade tasks which are incidental or peripheral to the primary tasks and facilitate the completion of the whole task, inspect products and/or materials for conformity with established operational standards, operate lifting equipment incidental to their work and assists in the provision of training in conjunction with supervisors and trainers.
The qualification has been specifically developed to be delivered to people who are existing engineering tradespersons or delivered to apprentices in an Engineering Trade who choose to study at a higher level during their apprenticeship.
The qualification packaging has been developed on an assumption that competency will be developed through an integrated combination of on and off-the-job learning strategies such as those delivered through a formal apprenticeship. The qualification may also be achieved through formal skills recognition assessment processes.
See Skills Recognition section below for details about formal skills recognition.
Target Groups
- Senior operators
- Leading hands
- Tradespersons
- Supervisors
Prior Qualifications
No prior qualifications are required for entry in to this course. If you do not already hold an appropriate Certificate III in Engineering, you may enrol directly into the Certificate IV in Engineering and undertake the required extra Units of Competency. As a general guide refer to the information on our website about the MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade in combination with the details below about Course Structure. Please then contact us to discuss your requirements in more detail.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Students require language, literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to the descriptions below
| Reading | Writing | Mathematics | Oral Communication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read and interpret texts that have several ideas which are non-routine, but simple. For example, read workplace newsletters or read an agenda for a meeting | Produce and sequence several paragraphs to make meaning. For example, fill in an accident report form or write a set of procedures for a new work task for personal reference | Use operations and % and fractions to solve problems. For example, calculate and compare costs of similar items/services from two sources or measure items for work tasks using formal units (millilitres of hair dye, grams of flour etc) |
Participate in oral exchanges where listener/speaker is required to vary and/or understand concepts which are simple, but non-routine. For example, provide instructions for a new worker on how to perform a simple workplace task. Or listen to, and respond to a routine customer complaint |
Post Certificate III Qualification – Certificate IV in Engineering additional Units of Competency (UoCs) only
The following information applies to a candidate who holds an appropriate Certificate III in Engineering and is matriculating into the Certificate IV.
This programme is a flexible delivery programme, delivered to suit the requirements of the student.
Trainees under a Traineeship Contract may take 6-24 months (according to traineeship requirements) to complete the qualification. Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) applicants may complete the course in a lesser time subject to meeting eligibility criteria. The standard enrolment term for a post Trade programme is 16 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 MEM40119 Certificate IV in Engineering. 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 this qualification will usually be met by holders of a relevant Certificate III in Engineering, plus the completion of additional Units of Competency (UoCs).
The required number of additional UoCs varies according to: the mix of UoCs already held in the Certificate III in Engineering, and the total weighting (points value) of the selected additional UoCs. The number of additional UoCs required ranges from 8 to 12.
NAM Training offers a selection of additional UoCs to make up the Certificate IV requirements.
Examples of additional UoCs
MSMENV272 Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices (Core UoC if not already held in the Certificate III)
MEM17001 Assist in development and deliver training in the workplace
MEM14002 Undertake basic process planning
MEM14003 Undertake basic production scheduling
MEM15004 Perform inspection
This programme may be delivered in a variety of locations, including but not limited to entirely on-the-job at the student’s workplace in employer provided venues. From time to time, other venues may also be used for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) evaluations and oral questioning.
Delivery strategies and the training programme sequence are based upon the experience levels of students 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 students, depending on students’ 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.
This programme will be delivered entirely on-the-job at the trainee’s workplace in employer provided venues. From time to time, Third party venues may also be utilised.
Volume of Learning
The volume of learning is the time needed for a student to learn the required knowledge and skills to be able to perform competently. This time may vary according to the Units of Competency selected to best suit the job role, as well as the needs of individual students. Students with existing and relevant knowledge and skills will usually require less learning time and/or may complete some sections of the course via RPL strategies.
The volume of learning here applies to a student who holds an appropriate Certificate III in Engineering and is matriculating into the Certificate IV.
The total nominal hours for the Certificate IV extra part for a novice is approximately 320.
The volume of learning is total time needed for all the following activities:
- Training delivery – theory
- Training delivery – practical
- Study
- Skills practise
- Assessment
On average, the training delivery includes 14 training sessions of 2.5 hours each, covering the theory and skills components of the programme, totalling 35 hours over the traineeship contract. The average number of training sessions is 10 per year, with contact months from February to November.
A full RPL pathway may be undertaken without a Training Contract subject to a candidate meeting NAM Training’s eligibly criteria. Access to a relevant workplace operation and equipment may also be required.
RPL
Recognition of 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 are provided to employers in our Funding Schedule document or to private candidates by email or hard copy.
A candidate will usually already hold his or her Certificate III in Engineering or equivalent before enrolling in the MEM40119 Certificate IV Engineering. The following details presume that this will be the case. Refer to details about MEM30319 Certificate III Engineering – Fabrication Trade if a candidate needs to complete this Qualification before enrolling in the Certificate IV.
Privately funded course fees
Where an individual student is paying for his/her fees, these fees will not be charged in instalments any greater than $1500 each.
Full training and assessment and pathway
Where a candidate already holds a Certificate III Engineering or equivalent, MEM40119 Certificate IV in Engineering is charged at a total of $2990.
A Registration Fee of $300 per candidate will be invoiced following registration with NAM Training.
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 10 UoCs in the qualification, each UoC will be charged at $2990, less the $300 Registration Fee divided by 10 which equates to $269 each.
Part RPL/part training and assessment or Full RPL pathways
An RPL Registration Fee applies at $300 per student.
Where a student completes some or all of the qualification via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a 25% RPL discount will apply to fees for any UoCs achieved via RPL.
Following the RPL 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.
Assessment may often commence on any UoCs nominated for RPL at the same time.
If a full RPL pathway has been established, after registration and payment of registration fee, the remaining cost of the Qualification will be discounted to $2317.50. Remaining fees are charged when UoCs are commenced.
Where an individual student is paying for his/her fees, these fees will not be charged in instalments any greater than $1500. In these instances, for full RPL pathway for example, once registration fee has been paid, the remaining course fees will be charged in two instalments, one of $1500, and the second of $817.50.