Commissioners Information Bulletin 359
Issued: 23 June 2008

Laboratory Operations - Amended Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Laboratory Operations

At the request of Manufacturing Learning Australia, the Commissioner for Vocational Training has varied 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 two new qualifications PML50104 Diploma of Laboratory Technology and PML60104 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations. These qualifications are from the Laboratory Operations Training Package PML04 which was endorsed on 5 October 2004 by the National Training Quality Council.

Vocational Training Order Standard Format

A copy of the 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) was extensively reviewed. Although many of the existing units were carried forward, all units were updated for changes which have occurred in the workplace since development of the original training package. The OHS units were all reviewed and updated with input from the National Occupational, Health & Safety Commission.

New units of competency were developed for new industry sectors and field work. PML04 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.

PML50104 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

The Diploma provides a range of high level technical and specialized electives which are the industry preferred entry level requirements in laboratory operations across a range of industry contexts.

Trainees will be provided with training that places emphasis on biological, environmental and chemical testing, providing a broad base of laboratory experience.  They will be trained to conduct a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of broad scientific-technical knowledge and skills, with substantial depth in some areas.

PML60104 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

The Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations PML60104 provides a broad and flexible package of competencies which meets the needs of senior technicians, laboratory supervisors and similar personnel who are generally responsible for planning, allocating tasks, coordination, quality assurance, recording and reporting of laboratory outputs within their sector.

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

• PML20104 Certificate II in Sampling Measurement
• PML30104 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
• PML40104 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
• PML50104 Diploma of Laboratory Technology
• PML60104 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

Units of Competency

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

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.
The proposed additional traineeship pathways are relevant for job roles such laboratory technician, technical officers, technical specialists, laboratory supervisors, senior technical officers.

These job roles may be found in a range of industries including the public health sector, private medical and pathology services, the manufacturing sectors, the food industry, environmental monitoring, mining and construction materials testing. These pathways may have awards or agreements with appropriate provisions for the employment of trainees.

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.

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.

Vocational Education and Training in Schools

The ITAB has advised that the Certificate II in Sampling and Measurement (PML20104) is suitable for delivery in the in Schools.  For school based, part-time traineeships currently being delivered in New South Wales see www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/traineeships/index.html

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 are relevant to PML04; however, some may require adaptation.

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.

Resources available which support parts of the qualifications:

• Recognition and Assessment Kit  for Calibration Technicians (from Manufacturing Skills Australia)
• Laboratory Operations Learning and Assessment Resources  (from Manufacturing Skills Australia)
• Diploma of Laboratory Technology PML50199 tool box provides some support to the delivery of the PML50104 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

Availability of Registered Training Organisations (RTOs)

The National Training Information website http://www.ntis.gov.au identifies RTOs in NSW registered to deliver qualifications from the PML04 the Laboratory Operations Training Package.

Licensing

There are no licensing requirements identified in the training package.

Funding and Incentives

In 2008 the NSW Department of Education and Training will not fund the delivery of training for Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications. However, from 1 January 2009, the Department will fund certain Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications. The qualifications to be funded will be decided on a case by case basis and according to specified criteria. A separate submission for funding must be made to the NSW Department of Education and Training, Business Services, Industry Programs, Level 12, 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010. If you have any questions about these arrangements, please telephone 9266 8008.

Some targeted Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications attract financial assistance for eligible employers from the Commonwealth Government. Details about this assistance are available at http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/employer/incentives.asp or from an Australian Apprenticeships Centre: telephone 13 38 73.

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

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training