the Specialised Textiles Association through its Training Sub Committee keeps members up to date with developments in the area of training and helps communicate the training needs of the industry to the various government bodies and training organisations involved in the training delivery. An important role in all this is to assist members in being able to access training wherever they are, in a delivery method which best suits their business and at the same time gain access to the government funding available in taking on trainees. Whilst these matters vary slightly from state to state, the broad issues are largely the same.

At this stage the information on this page is confined to training for fabricator members under Certificates II and III in Textile Fabrication.

NATIONAL TRAINING PACKAGE

Fabricator training throughout Australia is delivered by various Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) with reference to meeting national Competency Standards set out in a booklet called the National Training Package ("NTP"). The NTP, into which Specialised Textiles Association had considerable development input, ensures training is delivered in a uniform way throughout the country. Specialised Textiles Association's interest and involvement in the development of the NTP is ongoing.

DELIVERY

Methods of delivery vary from state to state and region to region; and can be broken down broadly into 3 main methods.

1. Work place training, with an RTO located remotely to the business, perhaps interstate.
2. TAFE based training.
3. A mixture of 1. and 2. with RTOs delivering some parts of the training and the business delivering the balance in the workplace.

There are now other RTOs who also offer this form of training in addition to the other forms of delivery.

Any fabricator can learn of the alternative RTOs by contacting their local Australian Apprenticeship Centre (AAC) who can also assist in recruiting trainees and providing advice on how to access Government funding available to businesses taking on trainees. Training can similarly be provided to existing staff as part of Recognition of Prior Learning. Again your AAC or RTO can give you advice on the available Government Funding.

Businesses taking on new trainees are generally entitled to around $4,400 per trainee over the term of the traineeship. This is payable in two installments - one payment upon completion of the probationary period and the final installment at the conclusion of the traineeship.

HOW DO I ACCESS TRAINING OR TRAINEES?

Firstly, recruit or identify those existing employees who you wish to undertake training; remembering your local AAC can help in recruitment, accessing your Government funding entitlement and identifying a suitable RTO.

Still confused, then feel free to speak with the Specialised Textiles Association office or contact the RTO in your state:

New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory

Sydney Institute of TAFE - Lawrence de Paoli

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (02) 9217 4601
Fax: (02) 9217 4963

Western Australia

Polytechnic West, Balga Campus - Gary McCormick

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (08) 9207 4412
Fax: (08) 9207 4399

Tasmania

Tasmanian Institute of TAFE - www.tafe.tas.edu.au

Phone: 1300 655 307
Fax: (03) 6233 7830

Victoria

RMIT University - Kent Williamson

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (03) 9925 9182
Fax: (03) 9925 9129

You can identify your local AAC and find out other useful information on training from the following website: www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au

In summary, training your staff is a very beneficial thing, both for your business and the trainees involved. It can be done in a very cost efficient manner that helps secure not only the future of your own business, but our industry as a whole, by improving the skills of our people and the quality of the products we make.