A Chance To Learn Skills

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday January 19, 1996

By TONY SELMES. Tony Selmes is executive director of the MotorTraders' Association of NSW.

FOR YOUNG people without specific skills who are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job, automotive traineeships offer valuable training and experience.

These packages of industry-specific entry level vocational training generally lasts 12 months. They should not be confused with apprenticeships, which are trade-based, although time spent in a traineeship can be worth partial credit towards an apprenticeship.

During their period of on- and off-the-job training, trainees learn their skills under the National Training Wage Award. This is a a federal award, agreed upon by employers and unions, that recognises the costs of training to an employer.

The training wage varies from $149 to $321 a week depending on age.

A traineeship offers:

* Training in non-trade areas that the industry realised was needed to produce competent staff.

* Training that is competency-based and relevant to the job.

* A traineeship qualification that is recognised throughout Australia.

* A qualification that achieves credit transfer to further study.

* An ideal forerunner to an apprenticeship

The traineeship system is designed to provide appropriate skills training to anyone starting work in the automotive industry in a non trade-based area.

While it is expected that many trainees will be young people beginning work, the system allows people changing careers to enter the industry.

Recruitment of trainees is the same as for any other new employee. A probationary period of up to one month is available, and the termination provisions of the Federal Industrial Relations Act do not apply.

Traineeships are at Australian Standards (ASF) Level 1 or 2. Upon completion the trainee receives a certificate that has national recognition and in some cases provides advance standing should he or she wish to progress to an automotive apprenticeship.

Training is provided entirely on the job in ASF 1 traineeships and both on and off the job in ASF 2 traineeships. The off-the-job component is provided by TAFE or a private training provider.

Seven ASF Level 2 automotive traineeships are available in NSW: Exhaust repairer, radiator repairer, tyre fitter/wheel aligner, record keeper (for clerical staff), parts sales/warehousing, detailer and glazier (windscreen fitting and repair), and service stations operations.

There are two ASF Level 1 traineeships - parts/accessory sales and tyre servicing. Another, in automotive sales, is being developed.

The syllabus and curriculum of both Level 1 and Level 2 cover subjects agreed by industry consultation. Trainees may have up to one day per week to undertake off-the-job training.

A formal traineeship agreement for on- and off-the-job training in an industry- approved training package must be entered into.

Employers can receive:

* Subsidies of from $2,000 to $10,450 per trainee.

* Payroll tax rebate.

* Automatic worker's compensation cover.

* Provision of "off-the-job" training at no cost to the employer.

Employers wanting to employ a trainee should contact their local CES Job Centre or Automotive Training Australia (NSW) on (02) 281 4967.