Plumbing Connection 3-2015

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3 6 PLUMBING CONNECTION SPRING 2015
to have visited plumbing training facilities in every state and
territory and our new facility is second to none. I would like
to think it is the best in the Southern Hemisphere. With this
new facility and the wealth of plumbing knowledge held by
the teachers, apprentices attending TAFE SA will gain the
best possible training.”
This positive outlook has been reflected in the number of
students enrolling into the course with TAFE SA experiencing
a boom in apprentice numbers from the mid to late 2000s
with a doubling of students during this period. Due to this
boom TAFE SA have a larger number of students wishing
to complete the licensing units from the Certificate IV in
Plumbing.
“We currently have what we consider a healthy number
of apprentices which reflects the resilience of the plumbing
industry in SA,” Rob says.
TAFE SA’s plumbing program is supported through
WorkReady, which is a South Australian government
initiative that brings together funding for training,
employment and skills activities. WorkReady is about
targeting training and employment opportunities to the
needs of people, strategic industries, such as the plumbing
industry, and regions.
Individuals have to meet the course entry requirements
and verify their eligibility for enrolment before being enrolled
in the government subsidised training places allocated to
the plumbing program.
With such a positive relationship between TAFE SA and
the MPA, as well as state of the art facilities being built, the
future looks bright for plumbing training delivery in South
Australia. Rob believes the direction it is taking is one that
can be sustained for many years to come.
“I would like to think plumbing training continues in its
current guise through an apprenticeship under a contact of
training. Plumbing is a complicated industry covering a huge
range of areas.
“I like to tell apprentices that plumbers save more lives
than doctors through the supply of drinking water and the
removal of liquid waste. For this reason it is crucial that our
trade is not dumbed-down. It is also critical that students
avoid shonky RTOs who use a ‘tick and flick’ approach that
does not adequately give future plumbers the required
knowledge. With the implementation of the Australian
Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) this may help reduce these
unscrupulous RTO’s.
TAFE SA
Master Plumbers South Australia
APPLYING FOR A CONTRACTOR’S LICENSE
In order to apply for a contractor’s license the following units must
be covered: Design of Sanitary Drainage Systems, Storm Water
Systems, Domestic Treatment Plant Disposal Systems, Sanitary
Systems, Heated and Cold Water Services and Systems, Consumer
Gas Installations as well as the more practical units Commission
and Maintain Backflow Prevention Devices and Service Type A Gas
Appliances. There are also some business units such as Estimating,
Risk Control, Establish Legal Risk Requirements of Small Business
and Plan Small Business Finances.
Once these have been completed plumbers are required to take
their results along with their Certificate III in Plumbing to Consumer
and Business Services (CBS), complete relevant paper work and
pay a fee. This will see them receive a plumbing contractor’s license
enabling them to work for themselves.
APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING