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Operational guide for Trade callings in the Metals and Engineering Training Package

Manufacturing Skills Queensland is seeking stakeholder feedback on the development and use of an Implementation Guide for the Metals and Engineering Training Package MEM05.

Background

The Chair of the Queensland Training and Employment Recognition Council has requested that Manufacturing Skills Queensland investigate the opinions of industry and other stakeholders on the reintroduction of an implementation guide for the Metals and Engineering Training Package MEM05.

Historically the MEM 98 Package was supported by additional endorsed and non-endorsed components such as implementation guides, position descriptors, etc. With the release of the MEM05 package no such support material was developed.

Consultative process so far

Practitioner feedback to date is overwhelmingly supportive of additional support resources for the MEM05 package as the implications of not having conforming training plans can have significant repercussions with respect to the linkages with the Federal and State Award systems and the integrity of trade outcomes across industry.

Industry as a whole have been non-commital and as such have been largely guided by Registered Training Organisations in these matters through the development of training plans for metal trades apprentices. The responsibility for consistency has been devolved to individual teachers and trainers.

Industry, particularly SMEs, require flexibility to avoid such issues as demarcation, whilst larger employers can absorb such streamlining of the workforce, they still require more flexibility than was available under the old industrial arrangements prior to the release of Training Packages generally.

MSQ is seeking feedback from ALL stakeholders on the development of a resource tool to assist with the implementation of MEM05 Training package similar to that which was used to support the MEM98 package.

For consideration:

Should the implementation guide be an mandatory component of the Training Package in Queensland OR
Should the implementation guide be for advice only?

Consideration should be given to the following factors:

Should the guide be mandatory component, then the conditions/guide will become mandatory on top of qualification packaging rules.
Should the guide be developed as a support document then the conditions will be guidance/guidelines only.
Should the guide be developed at all as the current arrangements within the MEM05 Training Package are adequate as is?

The MEM05 Training Package specifically states that there is a requirement for 40 specialisation points to be included at a minimum in the training plan for all Certificate III in Engineering Trade outcomes, with the additional selected competencies to reflect the requirements of the individuals work environment.

Further consultation

Could you please peruse the draft proposed units in the guide for the included specialisation units for the trade callings outcomes and vote for one of the following options:

the development of a mandatory implementation guide
the development of a guide for advice purposes only
leave the training package as it is

Manufacturing Skills Queensland does not have a fixed position on any of the proposed content of the trade calling questionnaire and would appreciate Industry’s feedback as quickly as possible to enable us to advise the Training and Employment Recognition Council of Stakeholder’s positions on the matter, this survey will only be open until Friday 19 September.

Should you have any queries in relation to this matter please do not hesitate to contact Richard Lindner on 07 3364 0682.

Your assistance is appreciated.

Erik Salonen
General Manager Manufacturing Skills Queensland