Commissioners Information Bulletin 299
Issued: 22 December 2006

School Based Apprenticeships - Vocational Training Orders

In New South Wales, school based part-time apprenticeships will be available as from 1 January 2007 in trade areas experiencing skills shortages and in accordance with nationally agreed COAG reforms.

Vocational Training Orders

Vocational Training Orders (VTOs) for the relevant trade vocations have been varied to include school based part-time apprenticeship training arrangements. Initially, the following industry areas will be targeted: automotive; construction (and plumbing services); electrotechnology; hospitality (including commercial cookery); and metal and engineering.

Automotive

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment A:

Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 272 - /html/cibs/272.htm, CIB 274 - /html/cibs/274.htm and CIB 279 - /html/cibs/279.htm

Construction

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment B:

Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 246 - /html/cibs/246.htm and CIB 253 - /html/cibs/253.htm

Plumbing services

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment C:

• Plumbing, Gasfitting & Draining
• Metal Roofing & Roof Plumbing
• Fire Sprinkler Fitting.

Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 251 - /html/cibs/251.htm

Electrotechnology

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment D:

 Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 119 - /html/cibs/119.htm - and CIB 225 - /html/cibs/225.htm

Hospitality (including commercial cookery)

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment E:

 Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 197 - /html/cibs/197.htm

Metal and Engineering

Revised VTOs for the following trade vocations are at Attachment F:

Note - All other arrangements pertaining to these apprenticeships remain current, as outlined at CIB 296 - /html/cibs/296.htm

Industrial arrangements

The NSW Industrial Relations Commission has approved the variation of NSW private and public sector awards to include provisions for school based part-time apprenticeships – /html/advins/atadg033.htm

Applications to vary the remaining NSW awards in the construction, electrical and plumbing industries are expected to be lodged on a consent basis in January 2007. It is anticipated that the variations will take effect by the start of the school year on 29 January 2007.

Employers who are incorporated entities will be able to access school based part-time apprenticeship provisions as specified in the WorkChoices legislation.

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

IAN KINGSLEY
Commissioner for Vocational Training