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 undertaken in the fields of refrigeration and air conditioning, casting and moulding, computer numerically controlled (CNC) programming, fluid power, heavy fabrication, instrumentation, maintenance, plant mechanics, marine electronics, mechatronics, patternmaking, robotics, toolmaking, welding and watch and clock services and repair, including post-trade 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.

This qualification may be accessed by direct entry. While there is no qualification entry requirement, it is assumed that the learner is either already a tradesperson with access to structured on and off-the-job training or is an apprentice under an Australian Apprenticeship arrangement. It should not be used as a pre-employment or pre-apprenticeship program. It is specifically designed to cover the skills and knowledge required of workers employed as Engineering/Manufacturing Tradesperson – Special Class Level II as defined in the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication. However, in some jurisdictions units in this qualification may require a license. Licensing information is included in the relevant units of competency.

The following are the Admission requirements of Lead college:

• Must be 18 years of age or older at the time of course commencement.
• Some prospective students may be asked to undertake an LLN assessment or enrolment interview prior to acceptance.
• Must have completed Australian Year 11 or equivalent level of schooling or a Certificate III or higher qualification with an Australian institution.
• Must demonstrate English level of IELTS 6.0 overall with no band less than 5.5 or equivalent, such as:
  • IBT 60
  • PTE 50
  • CAE 169
  • OET C
  • Duolingo 95
  • General English Advanced*
  • MOI Certificate
  • Certificate III or higher qualification with an Australian institution.
• Must have the ability to carry out workshop training involving physical activity, including lifting.

*General English Upper Intermediate is generally considered to be between 5-5.5 IELTS.

Lead College may also conduct an entry interview with all prospective students to confirm their details and ensure that the course selected is the most appropriate for their needs.

These are potential routes for career progression:

Welding

Boilermaking

Surface finishing

Sheet metalworking