Commissioners Information Bulletin 264
Issued: 24 June 2005

Laboratory Operations traineeship vocation - variation of Vocational Training Order

At the request of Manufacturing Learning Australia, the Commissioner for Vocational Training has approved the amendment to the existing Vocational Training Order (VTO) for the recognised traineeship vocation of Laboratory Operations, under section 6 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001.

The revised VTO specifies one new and two replacement qualifications:

• Certificate II in Sampling Measurement (PML20104)
• Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104)
• Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (PML40104)

from the Laboratory Operations Training Package PML04, endorsed on 5 October 2004 by the National Training Quality Council (NTQC).

Vocational Training Order Standard Format

The VTO in each instance may make reference to:

1. the appropriate term or terms for apprenticeships or traineeships in that vocation
2. 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)
3. the appropriate qualification or qualifications that may be awarded in relation to an apprenticeship or traineeship in that vocation
4. any other training to be provided in addition to the training required for an appropriate qualification
5. 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 of Laboratory Operations is at Attachment A.

Overview of the Laboratory Operations Training Package (PML04)

The original Laboratory Operations Training Package (PML99) has been extensively reviewed. Although many of the existing units have been carried forward, all units have been updated for changes which have occurred in the workplace since development of the original training package. The OHS units have all been reviewed and updated with input from the National Occupational, Health & Safety Commission.

New units of competency have been developed for new industry sectors and field work. PML04 now provides better coverage for a wider range of industries, providing access to national qualifications and pathways for more technicians in areas such as mineral assay, construction materials testing, environmental monitoring, biotechnology, manufacturing testing, food testing and specialist calibration.

The revised Laboratory Operations Training Package (PML04) consists of five qualifications from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma.

The revised VTO will specify one new qualification and two amended qualifications:

Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104)

New qualification. Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104) has been created for personnel working in production and field based sampling and measurement. The new certificate will also be appropriate for delivery in VET in Schools programs.

Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104)

Replaces PML30199. To be awarded PML30199 competency had to be achieved in a total of twelve units. These consisting of eight core units and four elective units.

To increase flexibility for trainees undertaking the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104), a wider range of elective units has been introduced. Competency must be achieved in five core units and seven elective units making a total of twelve units of competency.

PML30104 is equivalent to PML30199

Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (PML40104)

Replaces PML40199. To be awarded PML40199 competency had to be achieved in a total of sixteen units, consisting of eleven core units and five elective units.

To increase flexibility for trainees undertaking the Certificate IV in Laboratory Skills (PML40104), a wider range of elective units has been introduced. Competency must be achieved in five core units and eleven elective units making a total of sixteen units of competency.

PML40104 is equivalent to PML40199

For the purposes of the VTO the Laboratory Operations trainees will be able to study the following qualifications:

• Certificate II in Sampling Measurement (PML20104)
• Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104)
• Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (PML40104)

The packaging and combination of the minimum number of units required for each qualification are outlined in Attachment B.

Learning resources and assessment materials

Because of the high levels of equivalence between existing units in PML99 and revised units in PML04, many of the resources developed for PML99 will be relevant to PML04, however, some may require adaptation.

Recommendations have been made for the development of a suite of resources covering a selection of units of competency which will support delivery of the new qualification Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104). Manufacturing Learning Australia has submitted a proposal to the Manufacturing Industry Skills Council for developing resources for the new units in PML04 and revising existing resources to align with revisions.

A full audit of known resources to support delivery of qualifications under this Training Package can be downloaded from the home page of the Manufacturing Learning Australia website, www.mlaust.com. Resources aligned to the PML99 are available via the Resource Generator website free of charge.

Industrial arrangements

Provisions for the employment of trainees exist in the following industrial instruments:

• National Training Wage Award (2000)
• AWU Training Wage (State) Award
• Crown Employees (Public Service Training Wage) Award 2000
• *Plastic Moulding, &c (State) Consolidated Award
• *Chemical Workers (State) Consolidated Award
• Metal Trades (Training Wage) (State) Award
• *Metal, Engineering and Associated Industries (State) Award (parties to this award shall observe the terms of the Metal Trades (Training Wage) (State) Award as above.
• Rubber, Plastic and Cable Making Industry - General - Award 1998

* These awards are parent awards with splinter State Training Wage Awards.

In addition, a few Australian Workplace Agreements and a significant number of enterprise agreements have been established in this industry. Each industrial instrument will need to be verified for traineeship provisions as applicable.

The proposed traineeship pathways are relevant for the public health sector, some of the private medical and pathology service providers and the food industry. These sectors may have awards or agreements with appropriate provisions for the employment of trainees.

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.

Part-time arrangements

Industrial arrangements for part-time and school-based traineeships are available in the Rubber, Plastic and Cable Making Industry - General - Award 1998, the Crown Employees (Public Service Training Wage) Award 2000 and the National Training Wage Award 2000.

Availability of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

There is a spread of private and public RTOs, whose scope of registration included PML99 and who were delivering capably to this industry grouping.

The NSW Vocational Education and Training Board has advised that a rollover for all RTOs with PML99 attached to their scope of registration has occurred. This rollover which attached Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104) and Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques (PML40104) from PML04 to their scope, occurred on 6 December 2004.

The additional Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104) will require extension of scope for RTOs wishing to award this qualification.

Contact details for RTOs can be found at www.ntis.gov.au

Vocational Education and Training in Schools

The Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104) and selected units of competency from the Certificate III in Laboratory Skills (PML30104) are suitable for delivery in the Vocational Education in Schools programs if arrangements are made for partnerships with RTOs and/or industry to ensure that the competency requirements are met.

Lack of resources to customise support materials could be an impediment to implementation in schools.

Licensing requirements

There are no licensing requirements identified in the training package.

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

IAN KINGSLEY
Commissioner for Vocational Training