Plumbing Connection 3-2015

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7 8 PLUMBING CONNECTION SPRING 2015
At level two cadets are assessed on both theory and
practical elements including their knowledge of the
standards and comprehension of specifications. Once they
pass that, three of the five streams must be completed
before level three (which is all practical) can be attempted.
If, for example, they fail at level three they go right back to
the beginning and start again.
“That’s the repetitive nature of the work they’re being
trained to do on a day-to-day basis when they’re working
as apprentices. They have to learn those skills, be able to
remember those skills and be able to use those skills in
whatever task they’re given. Now that’s completely different
to competency based training where you can fail a section
of the competency and just go back and do that part again.
Here it’s part of an overall process,” Paul says.
Once cadets finish the initial 18 months pre-employment
training, they’ll work five days a week on site which Paul
believes is much more in line with the needs of employers.
They’ll then undergo workplace assessments with host
employers to get their competencies signed off.
The Master Plumbers College of Excellence will continue to
offer apprenticeships in the traditional model and is aware
that for some employers that will still be the best option.
“We realise that there will be some employers who want
to employ apprentices themselves and run that model – we
don’t have a problem with that at all. But the executive
committee is pretty convinced that after we finish the
first 18 month program and these boys and girls go out to
work as apprentices we’ll see a rise in demand from most
employers,” Paul says.
APPRENTICESHIPS
Master Plumbers Association of NSW
Cadets at the Master Plumbers College of Excellence.
CADETSHIP IN PLUMBING
ENGINEERING
Recruitment
Module 1
18 months pre-
employment
training
Module 2
18 months
paid on the job
training
Module 3
Completion of
Cadetship
∫ Completes workplace evidence
component of the Certificate III in
Plumbing
∫ Certificate III Plumbing issued
∫ Cadetship/Apprenticeship signed off
∫ Cadet commences studies in Certificate
IV and continues path-way towards
becoming a licensed plumbing
contractor
∫ Cadet applies to the OFT for Registration
as a Plumber
All material, concepts and content are Copyright © of The Master
Plumbers Association of NSW.
∫ Meeting with parents and candidate
∫ Expression of interest and application
∫ Mult stage recruitment process:
1. Resume ranking
2. Aptitude testing
3. First interview
4. Harrison Assessments
5. “Bridging the Gap” program -
practical orientation to plumbing
6. Parent update session
7. Final interview
8. Medical Assessment
9. Agreement sign off Cadet and parents
∫ 18 months of 4½ days a week at College
of Excellence
∫ Multiple assessment activities
∫ Holistic project on completion
∫ External assessors
∫ Trainers do not assess
∫ Industry engagement in determination
of progression
∫ Employed by MPAL as a 2nd year
apprentice on successful completion of
Module 1
∫ Paid 6 months 2nd year appentice wages
and 12 months as a 3rd year apprentice
∫ Applying knowledge learnt through M P A
Training on the job
∫ Skills Tracker logging Workplace
Evidence
∫ Cadet enrolled to commence Certificate
IV in Plumbing
∫ Validation of skills on the job
∫ Workplace assessment undertaken to
be able to make a true determination of
competence
∫ Host Trainer to be involved in the process
of the sign off of workplace competence