Plumbing Connection 4-2015

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PLUMBING CONNECTION SUMMER 2015 51
training hours differs across state boarders because every
state has different funding arrangement via their individual
governments.
In WA, streams or units of competency are: water,
sanitary, drainage, gas and some roofing units.
This is a fairly common set of units across most state
boundaries with the difference in Victoria being that they
include a mechanical services unit.
MPA Skills also delivers post apprenticeship training
courses which include:
∫ Plumbing Contractors’ Licence
∫ Backflow Prevention Licence
∫ Envirowest (Sustainable Plumbing)
∫ Migrant Gap Training Practices
∫ Gas Servicing
∫ Other short courses as and when required by the industry
i.e. Working at Heights.
“MPA Skills is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)
and a Group Training Organisation (GTO). The difference
between industry bodies and TAFE’s, we believe is the
considerable advantages of having Field Officers who
monitor the on the job performance of all our apprentices
that MPA Skills employs,” Murray says
“Field Officers and Trainers communicate readily about
the on and off the job components of students’ training.
We also have the ability to transfer students between the
housing, maintenance and commercial sectors ensuring,
where possible, that MPA Skills apprentices have a vast
range of skills upon completion.”
MPA Skills, via its strong relationship with suppliers and
manufacturers, also stays at the forefront of new products
and trends. It prides itself on the quality of its apprentices.
Another major difference is its practical plumbing training
facilities that feature hands-on simulated training areas as
seen by the attached photo of the sandpit and multi-storey
structure.
“Our training model consists of a very strong VET in
Schools presence and delivers training in a variety of high
schools around the state. We believe the model we offer is
all inclusive with the students’ journey starting in Year 11 at
school, through to the apprenticeship program, then time
spent as a contractor and member of the Master Plumbers
and Gasfitters Association of WA (MPGA), through to
retirement (see the Life Cycle table on the next page).”
As previously stated, being an RTO and GTO as well as
having a Board of Directors who remain in the industry,
makes MPA Skills a truly Industry Based, Industry Focused,
Industry Driven training provider.
“Our completion numbers are well above the national
average with approximately 87% of students completing
their term,” Murray explains. “As we know, apprentices
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