Commissioners Information Bulletin 084
Issued: 18 November 1999

Approval of an amended Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the declared calling of Process Manufacturing

In July 1999 the Minister declared the calling of Process Manufacturing wherein the relevant VTO identified traineeship qualifications for the sectors of plastics, rubber and cablemaking; and chemical, oil and hydrocarbons. One of these qualifications replaced the Chemical Plant Skills course which was granted interim recognition in 1997.

At the request of the NSW Process Manufacturing Industry Training Body Ltd (PMITB), the Director-General approved on 11 October 1999 an amended VTO for the declared calling of Process Manufacturing under Section 22 of the Industrial and Commercial Training Act, 1989.

The revised VTO specifies the requirements for gaining a credential for the relevant traineeship pathways identified in the Manufactured Mineral Products Training Package endorsed on 22 June 1999 by the National Training Framework Committee.

The following curriculum based courses, which were granted interim recognition in 1997 will now cease to operate:

• Chemical Plant Skills
• Clay and Ceramics Operations
• Glass Manufacturing Operations
• Cement Manufacturing Operations
• Glass Manufacturing Operations

Vocational Training Order Standard Format
The VTO in each instance makes reference to:

• the relevant number of qualifications (certificate levels II-IV) recognised under a particular trade or calling;
• the nominal term which may vary in the case of traineeships from 12 to 48 months. This term of training also identifies part-time arrangements as recognised under DET policy;
• the nominal term for trades which is set at 48 months. Part-time arrangements are not available for apprentices in NSW;
• the appropriate national competency standards underpinning the qualification(s).

A copy of the relevant VTO supporting the calling of Process Manufacturing is at Attachment A.

Manufactured Mineral Products Training Package (PMC99)
The Manufactured Mineral Products Training Package addresses the needs of the cement, ceramics, clay, concrete and related products sectors of the process manufacturing industry. Although these sectors operate in a largely independent manner, there is sufficient commonality to incorporate each sector into one consolidated Training Package.

This Training Package links the National Manufactured Mineral Products Competency Standards through assessment processes to qualifications and replaces all existing national industry-supported training courses.

In total, there are 4 qualifications within this Training Package. Traineeships will be available in 3 of these qualifications.

For the purposes of the revised VTO, Process Manufacturing trainees will have the option of gaining the following credentials in Manufactured Mineral Products in addition to those qualifications from the Plastics, Rubber & Cablemaking Training Package and the Chemical, Hydrocarbons and Oil Refining Training Packages:

• Certificate II in Process Manufactured Mineral Products (PMC20199)
• Certificate III in Process Manufactured Mineral Products (PMC30199)
• Certificate IV in Process Manufactured Mineral Products (PMC40199)

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units drawn from the National Manufactured Mineral Products Competency Standards and required for each qualification are outlined at Attachment B.

Each of the qualifications provides the trainee with the option for either a generalist or a specialised qualification. In the latter case, additional packaging guidelines apply. Detailed information on these guidelines, including examples of packaging for each stream, are contained in Attachment B.

This Training Package has permitted the use of the name of specialisation in the titling of the qualification although there is no separate national code to delineate this factor.

Generalist qualifications can be applied to those situations where production processes within the particular enterprise straddle more than one sector or where the organisation is not covered by the specific streams of cement, ceramics, clay products, concrete products, glass and premixed concrete.

The flexibility of the Training Package arises through the ability to utilise units of competency from other qualification streams within the manufactured mineral products industry and to import units from other Training Packages within the guidelines set out in the Training Package.

Individual units of competency in this Training Package specify prerequisite and corequisite requirements. If an enterprise wishes to specify additional prerequisite and/or corequisite competencies because of the requirements of their particular process, it may do so provided the guidelines of the Training Package are observed.

Customisation of units of competency may also be undertaken within the guidelines of the Training Package.

Learning and Assessment Materials
Most of the non-endorsed components available to support the implementation of this Training Package have been developed by large private organisations.

Assessment materials which are being used by registered training organisations and TAFE colleges at Lidcombe, Mt Druitt and Bathurst for the current Certificate II and Certificate III programs could continue to be used in conjunction with the endorsed Assessment Guidelines.

Currently cement manufacturing is the only sector with Certificate IV programs. The learning and assessment materials supporting these programs have been developed privately.

Mapping of existing program curricula and the consequent development of any necessary curricula and non-endorsed materials are progressing and will be available via TAFE Clearing House arrangements early in 2000.

Industrial arrangements
Industrial arrangements for trainees employed in the manufactured mineral products industry are in place through the following industrial instruments:

National Training Wage Award 1994
Enterprise Agreements
Australian Workplace Agreements

The instruments outlined below are parent awards and together with Site Variation Awards contain enabling clauses which provide for the employment of trainees:

Brickmakers and Assistants (State) Consolidated Award
Roofing Tile Makers (State) Consolidated Award
Refractory Materials Makers and Assistants (State) Consolidated Award
Pottery, Tiles (Other Than Roofing Tiles), Chinaware and Bristolware
Glass Industry – Glass Production –Award 1998
ACI Glass Packaging – Penrith Glass Workers (Enterprise Bargaining) Award 1993.

Part-time arrangements
PMITB advises that the potential exists for part-time arrangements but needs to be explored more fully with employers. With the challenge of introducing new technologies and adapting to new markets, the industry focus at present is on the training and re-training of existing plant operatives, particularly in regional areas.

Licensing requirements
There are no licensing requirements for people working in the manufactured mineral products industry.

Nominal hours for training package qualifications
Nominal hours will vary depending on the learning pathway for qualifications within the training packages.

NSW Crown Copyright Curriculum is available through the website: http://www.nswcccn.net/private/free_products/freeproducts.cfm

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

JILL GIENTZOTIS

Director of Recognition Services