TAFE NSW has dozens of microskills on offer that cover a variety of fields. Casey McGuire looks at how the plumbing-based microskills are benefiting new and existing workers.

Microskills are future-focused self-paced training programs delivered online on demand to give maximum results in minimum time. They provide up-to-the-minute training solutions to address regulations or regulatory changes, technological advancements and niche skills requirements for individuals.

Students, including apprentices or professionals looking for continuing professional development, have access to the course for up to six months from the day of enrolment but can complete it earlier if possible.

TAFE NSW delivers 37 microskill programs designed to accelerate training provision in priority skill areas. These areas include electric vehicles (EVs), both around batteries and charging solutions, hydrogen fuel cell technology training and renewable energy generation, among others.

“Qualified tradespeople are among the most in-demand workers in Australia and it’s critical they have flexible options to remain compliant and up-to-date with their training, without having to miss out on work,” Minister for skills, TAFE and tertiary education Steve Whan says.

In the plumbing, drainage and gasfitting regulation microskill, students are taught to understand their role within the industry and the significance of compliant work for consumers.

“Building Commission NSW is committed to upskilling and instilling confidence in the NSW construction industry, including in plumbing and drainage,” NSW building commissioner James Sherrard says.

“This plumbing, drainage and gasfitting regulation short course will ensure tradespeople across NSW have access to some of the best training and resources available. A capability uplift only helps people get better at their trade. With the flexibility this short course offers it can be completed online, at school or on the job, helping to increase time on site.”

The sheer volume of inspections is at a significant high across NSW and just looking at the Sydney and Hunter area, there are 20,000 plumbing and drainage inspections with problems in the pipeline.

That’s not even including regional areas which have had difficulty in engaging and communicating with the regulator and other industry operatives.

In response to this, TAFE NSW launched the plumbing, drainage and gasfitting regulation short course to upskill the workforce and support compliance across the plumbing industry. This course is aimed at people working in the plumbing and drainage industry, especially TAFE NSW students studying a Certificate IV in Plumbing and Services who will be the licensed contractors of the future.

“The idea of this program of study is to address misconceptions in industry that hinder compliant work, as it reinforces the current deemed to satisfy provisions of our codes,” TAFE NSW industry innovation specialist – plumbing services Anthony Backhouse says.

Students are taught how to apply for specific license categories, the documents required for inspection of plumbing, drainage and gasfitting services and the roles and responsibilities of a licensee, tradesperson and apprentice.

Students are taught how to apply for specific license categories, the documents required to provide for inspection of plumbing, drainage and gasfitting services and how to ensure the work being completed is compliant and maintains currency with adaptations to standards, regulations and codes of practice.

“Digital learning platforms like Construct NSW ensure tradespeople can easily update their skills, meet compliance requirements, and continue delivering quality work,” Steve says.

TAFE NSW has 1,286 students enrolled that have access to the microskills who are undertaking the qualification at a fully discounted price until 1 October 2025. It has been provided to students who are undertaking a certificate for plumbing and services operations course fee-free. This helps remove financial barriers that prevent them from completing the course and being ‘job ready’.

“The course is also open for existing industry operatives to enrol via the Construct NSW platform,” Anthony says.

“They are required to pay a minimal fee and the course itself is designed around continuing professional development.”

TAFE NSW advises all students and the greater percentage of existing workers and licence holders to complete the course in the future. This comes to approximately 8,000 NSW-based plumbing businesses that employ 27,900 plumbers, which doesn’t include the thousands of students currently completing the three-year apprenticeship, according to the jobs and skills database.

“Through completing the course, plumbers will proactively build an understanding of the regulator’s expectations and help protect the health and wellbeing of our communities, as clean water is essential for life and wastewater can be deadly,” Anthony says.

“TAFE NSW has collaborated with the NSW Building Commission on a range of construction industry and government agencies to develop the construct NSW digital learning platform, which is a one stop shop for microskills that address changes in the construction sector.”