Both State and Federal Governments have significant financial incentives for business to employ and formally register trainees.
There are minor differences between each State and Territory, but the end result is all the same, being strong incentives for businesses who employ and train Australians. Federally there is $4,000 available and in States (such as Western Australia) there is an additional State incentive of $2,125, taking the total incentive to $6,125 for a Certificate III in Engineering.
A full breakdown of the financial incentives is available and can be seen on the MEGT website... CLICK HERE.
A Certificate III in Engineering – Technical is an example of a relevant course, and while the training units may not be “purely” NDT specific, they provide strong engineering background knowledge that is required to be a successful NDT technician. The content covered
in the available certificate courses can be tailored to suit company or individual needs by selecting relevant elective units, which include how to read technical drawings, welding, materials, engineering specific mathematics and more including NDT subjects.
The course content formalises what would normally be taught on the job and is rewarded with an Australian Qualifications Framework certificate which has no expiry date. There are also no on campus training requirements for the relevant Certificate III/IV courses, which makes it very easy for workplaces to manage. All that is needed is a competent person in the workplace who has the knowledge and is available to supervise and assist the registered trainees when required. Assessment is primarily assignment based which suits the ebb and flow nature of NDT work.
There are many training providers that offer Certificate III in Engineering – Technical, but they are mainly the TAFE colleges. To find training providers in your region go to www.myskills.gov.au/ and enter the Cert III course code of MEM30505 into the field and follow the links to the training provider section.
The steps for signing up employees with a Registered Training Organisation are:
- Contact an Apprenticeship Network Provider such as MEGT to assess your company’s eligibility for incentives.
- Contact a Registered Training Organisation to determine availability of required training.
- Determine if new or existing staff are eligible for the training and incentives.
- Enrol staff and complete the subsidy application forms.
The benefits of completing training through an RTO include:
- Attracting young people into the industry by offering a pathway they are familiar with (traineeship with an AQF certificate).
- Formalisation of required base level industry knowledge.
- Enablement of employees to continue studying at a higher level for those who wish to continue to Diploma or higher-level qualifications
- Providing worthwhile tasks for employees to complete during lull periods.
- Financial incentives that far outweigh RTO training costs (Cert III Engineering tuition cost from a TAFE cost $936 last financial year).
- Allowing employers to better assess suitability of staff for further NDT specific training.
- Upskilling existing staff.
In summary, the process requires minimal effort for a significant return that benefits all by formalising training that most companies provide anyway. I strongly urge all companies in the industry to utilise the available financial incentives whilst they are available, to employ new trainees or up-skill your existing workforce.
Neil Young - AINDT President