The NSW Government is aiming to increase the number of qualified tradespeople in NSW to address labour and skills shortages. Shortages of qualified labour in the building and construction industries are creating increased pressure on the economy through higher costs and lower levels of productivity.

The Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers program will assist in the advancement of experienced, unqualified trades workers by assessing their skills and experience. This will be done through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Fee-free gap training to enable them the opportunity to gain a trade qualification.

 

Who is eligible?

 To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria:

• be an Australian or New Zealand Citizen, Humanitarian Visa holder or Australian Permanent Resident; and

• be over 21 years of age

• be resident of NSW or working in NSW

• have at least 3 years of work experience in civil construction

• be currently working in the construction industry, or have worked in the industry within the last five years; and

• not be a current apprentice or trainee; or if a cancelled apprentice, cancellation must be greater than 6 months

• not be enrolled in any related Smart and Skilled subsidised training

• no longer attending school

• assessed as capable of a minimum three (3) UoCs as an RPL outcome.

 

How to access funding

DATS will prepare an application for approval for Skills NSW on behalf of the student. Students will need to provide:

• Evidence of the students work experience in the form of a reference from their employer on a company letter head, signed and dated, outlining:

• Student’s name, age and current employment status (casual / full time etc.)

• Details of the nature of trade work and the duration of employment, procedures applied, and tools and equipment used which are consistent with the trade.

• Name the course the student is seeking to undertake - RII30820 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations.

• What the benefits are to the student, the employer and the industry by undertaking the training

• Third Party Report/References (if self-employed)

• a current resume

• a copy of their USI transcript

• copies of current tickets/licences applicable to this qualification

 

DATS will work with the student to create a training plan to support their application and discuss potential class dates in order to allocate a time frame for the funding to be applied.

 

Please note: It can take up to 21 days to receive a funding outcome. Approval is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of Skills NSW. A representative from the Department of Education may contact the student to discuss their training needs.

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For more information please phone 02 6652 9946 or email coffs@datservices.com.au