|
Commissioners Information Bulletin 226
Issued: 7 November 2003
Establishment of a new recognised traineeship vocation in Furnishing and the relevant VTO, and approval of an amended VTO for six recognised trades in the furnishing industry
At the request of the NSW Furnishing Industry Training Council (FITC), the Commissioner for Vocational Training has designated a new recognised traineeship vocation in Furnishing under section 5 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 and has approved the relevant Vocational Training Order under section 6 of the same Act.
The Commissioner for Vocational Training has also approved the variation to the existing VTOs for the recognised trade vocations of Cabinet Making, Floor Covering, Furniture Polishing, Glass Cutting and Glazing, Upholstery and Wood Machining under section 6 of the same Act.
The new VTOs specify the requirements for gaining a credential for the relevant traineeship and apprenticeship pathways identified in the Furnishing Training Package LMF02, which was endorsed on 10 February 2003, by the National Training Quality Council.
An existing TAFE NSW curriculum based qualification, Certificate II in Blinds and Awning Fabrication Operations NTIS: 90827NSW will be retained alongside the new Furnishing Training Package qualifications, under the recognised traineeship vocation of Furnishing.
Vocational Training Order Standard Format (VTO)
The VTO in each instance may make reference to:
- the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation,
- the appropriate probationary period or periods for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation, having regard to the term or terms specified for them under paragraph (a),
- the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation,
- any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification,
- such other matters relating to the training of apprentices or trainees in that vocation as the Commissioner considers appropriate.
A copy of the relevant VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation in the furnishing industry is at Attachment A.
The relevant VTOs supporting the following recognised trade vocations in the furnishing industry are at Attachment B and include:
- Cabinet Making.
- Floor Covering
- Furniture Polishing.
- Glass Cutting and Glazing.
- Upholstery
- Wood Machining
Furnishing Industry Training Package LMF02
A total of 239 units of competency have been developed or upgraded to reflect the unique and varied activities of the eight industry sectors within the furnishing industry. A small generic or cross-sector selection of units is also included.
The training package recognises longstanding occupations such as cabinetmaking, woodmachining and upholstery, as well as other furnishing occupations, such as floor finishing and covering, picture framing and interior decorating.
Currently, the largest sector in the furnishing industry is the Flat Panel sector, which produces kitchen, bathroom and commercial furniture from manufactured board material.
The grouped units of competency include:
- Generic
- Floor Covering and Finishing
- Furnishing Technology
- Furniture Finishing
- Furniture Making
- Glass and Glazing
- Mattress and Base
- Picture Framing
- Soft Furnishing
- Upholstery
The new Certificate II furnishing qualifications, in accordance with national industry policy, will provide a meaningful whole of job role for a skilled process worker or equivalent, and as a result many Certificate II qualifications now contain a broader range of skills than before.
As competence in the core units of Certificate II and Certificate III traineeship pathways is fundamental to a learner's performance at the next level, the Furnishing Training Package LMF02 qualifications are fully nested.
A number of key issues should be noted with regard to the new training package qualifications including:
- Floor Covering and Finishing Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II and III with options to specialise at the trade level in carpet, resilient and/or timber flooring
- Furniture Finishing Sector (previously Wood Polishing) qualifications include Certificate I, II and III with options for traditional French polishing or mechanically based finishingas the major electives at the trade level
- Furniture Making Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II, and III. Certificate III exists for the traditional trades of Cabinet Making and Wood Machining. A third and more flexible AQF level III qualification is now available to cope with the changing material and process requirements in the evolving Furnishing industry
- Glass and Glazing Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II and III
- Mattress and Base Sector (previously Bed and Mattress) qualifications include Certificate I, II and III
- Picture Framing Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II and III with the latter now covering the mounting and framing of valuable artefacts and memorabilia.
- Soft Furnishing Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II and III in which access to Certificate III is now possible for both machinists and installers
- Upholstery Sector qualifications include Certificate I, II and III. A Certificate III in Upholstery will be required for those who need to work with, and signify the formal recognition of, traditional upholstery competencies. A Certificate III Production Upholstery is available for those who are employed in that emerging environment
For the purpose of the VTO in NSW, trainees in the furnishing industry will have the option of gaining the following qualifications:
Certificate II in Blinds and Awning Fabrication Operations 90827NSW
Certificate II in Floor Covering and Finishing LMF20102
Certificate II in Furniture Finishing LMF20202
Certificate II in Furniture Making LMF20302
Certificate II in Mattress and Base Making LMF20502
Certificate III in Mattress and Base Making LMF30702
Certificate II in Picture Framing LMF20602
Certificate III in Picture Framing LMF30802
Certificate II in Soft Furnishing LMF20702
Certificate III in Soft Furnishing LMF30902
Certificate II in Upholstery LMF20802
The packaging and structure requirements for each qualification are outlined in Attachment C.
For the purpose of this VTO in NSW, apprentices in the furnishing industry will have the option of gaining the following qualifications:
Certificate III in Floor Covering and Finishing LMF30102
Certificate III in Furniture Finishing LMF30202
Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making) LMF30402
Certificate III in Furniture Making (Wood Machining) LMF30502
Certificate III in Glass and Glazing LMF30602
Certificate III in Upholstery LMF31002
The packaging and structure requirements for each qualification are outlined in Attachment C.
 Note: Implementation of Certificate III in Production Upholstery LMF31102 and Certificate III in Furniture Making LMF30302, will be withheld in NSW pending a decision by industry parties on the appropriateness of these qualifications being delivered under traineeship arrangements.
Packaging Arrangements
The following general packaging rules are to be applied as appropriate to all qualifications from the Furnishing Training Package LMF02:
- mandatory units, with one exception, are carried forward to and/or required for the next levels I-III. The exception is 1001A which is credited only at AQF level 1
- a Certificate II unit of competency completed as part of a Certificate I qualification may be used as a credit for a Certificate II qualification
The following explanations are aimed to support users in understanding some of the requirements set down by industry:
- in Furniture Making, the Furniture Finishing unit LMFF2004A Prepare surfaces for finishing is listed as a mandatory unit at both AQF levels 2 and 3 to assist learners in gaining the full range of furniture making skills
- the imported unit TDTD397C Handle dangerous goods/hazardous substances is mandatory in some certificates
Elective Rules
You can pick an elective from:
- the balance of sector specific units, that are not mandatory, for the qualification and level
- one up or one down from within the sector specialist inventory of units, eg at Certificate III you are able to pick one new Certificate II unit and/or one new Certificate IV unit, while at Certificate II you are able to pick one Certificate III unit
- from cross-sector generic (GN) units
- from other endorsed furnishing qualifications, at the same Certificate level
- from other relevant industry training packages at the same Certificate level
Industrial arrangements
Industrial arrangements for trainees employed in the furnishing industry are in place through the following instruments:
- Timber and Allied Industries Award 1999
- Furniture & Furnishing (State) Award
- Furnishing Industry National Award 2003
- Joiners (State) Award
- Sawmillers &C (State) Award
- Building and Construction Industry (State) Award
- Glass Workers (State) Award*
* Adult (18 years and above) and Minor Apprentices are subject to separate pay and employment conditions under this Award.
Note: Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any traineeship or apprenticeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.
Mapping of existing curricula to support training delivery
A mapping exercise has been undertaken of old curriculum courses to new qualifications in the Furnishing Training Package LMF02.
TAFE NSW has developed curriculum for all Certificate II and Certificate III qualifications with the exception of the Certificate II and Certificate III in Mattress and Base Making and Picture Framing.
VET in Schools
The furnishing industry is currently assessing the use of VET in Schools, including school-based traineeships.
Learning resources and assessment materials
TAFE NSW has developed curriculum and other training resources for a number of Furnishing Training Package qualifications.
The national ITAB Light Manufacturing Training Australia (LMTA) is currently developing self-paced learner guides to align with sector specialist units of competency in the training package. These guides will be available from LMTA at http://www.almitab.org.au/ and Australian Training Products at http://www.atpl.net.au/ along with any other available endorsed and non-endorsed support material.
Availability of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)
TAFE NSW currently delivers apprenticeship and traineeship training for the furnishing industry.
 For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Unit on (02) 9266 8579.
PAM CHRISTIE
Commissioner of Vocational Training
|
About Us 
