Central TAFE, together with the Institute of Materials Engineering Australia, has moved to stem the shortage in skilled Metallurgical Technicians by developing a Diploma in Metallurgy Cadetship program.
The Cadetship is based on a unique workplace based training model that the College has already applied to other engineering industry areas, which takes the strengths of a traditional traineeship and applies them to a higher level paraprofessional qualification.
Greg Harris, Operations Manager of RCR Engineering and Chairman of Central TAFE’s Advanced Materials Technology Centre advisory group, was instrumental in setting up the new Cadetship and believes they will provide the vital influx of skilled employees the industry desperately needs.
“The resources boom has created a huge demand for metallurgists to work in the mineral extraction side of the industry and also in the manufacturing, maintenance and materials testing side that supplies the resources industry,” he said.
“However, in the current labour market, which has seen a growing popularity in trades, there is a shortage of front line supervisory workers who have an in-depth knowledge of processes, materials and capabilities.
“The industry sees cadetships as a way in which it can help attract new students into metallurgy at this paraprofessional level by offering a combination of employment together with an offer of fully paid training.
“Furthermore, Cadetships can offer training to current employees who have demonstrated aptitude and interest.”
The Cadetship model was developed by Central TAFE to meet the need for associate professionals and skilled technicians in engineering disciplines.
The cadet is offered a position in industry and receives on and off the job training including one day a week at Central TAFE, to qualify at the end of two years with a Diploma in Metallurgy. The employer in turn commits to training the cadet and receives an incentive payment from the Federal Government.
Cadets benefit by earning a wage, whilst learning and receive the practical workplace knowledge that they couldn’t get in the classroom and a direct experience of the employers operations, which will enhance the graduate’s value in the workplace.
Central TAFE is the only provider of Metallurgy training in WA due to the specific facilities and staff required.
“Central TAFE has a long history of providing excellent metallurgy training at the Diploma and Advanced Diploma levels,” Greg said.
“Through a longstanding MOU with the Institute of Materials Engineering Australia, Central TAFE also has the strong connections with the metallurgy industry and profession needed to keep its courses relevant and to a very high standard.”