ASSDA's Stainless Steel Specialist Course has been incorporated into apprenticeship education by Australia's largest private provider of engineering training.
ASSDA member First Choice Training Group is delivering the Stainless Steel Specialist Course as part of the Standard Apprenticeship Certificate Three in Engineering Fabrication (Trade).
Principal Training Consultant, Carl Spruce said the Stainless Steel Specialist Course provided theory lacking in the stainless steel industry.
"There has been a perception that there needs to be better training in the industry and that the existing training was not appropriate," Mr Spruce said.
"Customisation for the stainless steel industry required specialised information and ASSDA had that information, which we have integrated into traineeships."
First Choice instructors teach students Training Notes (modules) from the Stainless Steel Specialist Course based on projects discussed with their employer. The student then applies this knowledge to their practical work.
Four Queensland companies have already signed up for the program, including ASSDA members Curtin Foodservice Equipment Pty Ltd, B&R
Enclosures and D&R Stainless.
First year apprentices at D&R Stainless have started the course, while third year apprentices will study at HET post-trade level.
D&R Stainless Manager, Ray Powell said the Stainless Steel Specialist Course enhanced the value both the apprentice and the employer received from such training.
"It makes the apprentice more skilled for the stainless steel market, which we see as a potential growth area, and gives recognition of their skills with a piece of paper," Mr Powell said.
"We also gain because the knowledge they learn will flow through to their work with us."
Mr Spruce said: "The students will find it quite rigorous to begin with, but at the end of the day, we will end up with better qualified tradespeople- that's the ultimate goal."
This article featured in Australian Stainless magazine - Issue 18, May 2001.
