14.06.2012

Platform apprenticeships for Australia

The Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA) has announced the development of a formal national apprenticeship for aerial lift mechanics, which should be available from next year.

The association has spent the past 18 months developing content for the apprenticeship in partnership with Auto Skills Australia (ASA), the body responsible for the development and maintenance of nationally accredited automotive training qualifications in Australia.

The draft apprenticeship qualification is now reaching the final stages of approval with finalisation expected by the end of this year with first courses to be offered by TAFE (Technical And Further Education) and apprenticeship training centres for the start of 2013.

The draft apprenticeship program, Certificate III Automotive Technology - Elevating Work Platforms, draws on training or learning modules relevant to aerial lifts from existing mechanical qualifications.

The president of EWPA - New South Wales, John Glover said: “Currently there are three or four relevant mechanical qualifications, but none specific to elevating work platforms. Mechanics can currently undertake training as a plant mechanic, a mechanical fitter, a heavy off-highway vehicles mechanic, or light vehicle mechanic.”

“Elevating work platforms are highly specialised pieces of equipment and being classified as high risk equipment, include many safety features which require expert maintenance knowledge. It is very clear our industry needs a more focused apprenticeship that is relevant and specific.”

“The EWPA would like to take this opportunity to thank the team at the ASA with a special thank you to Stephen Wrathall for taking on the challenge of creating an apprenticeship for our industry,” said Glover.

“This means our industry specific EWP apprenticeship program will attract much welcomed government funding, making it so much more affordable for our industry to train and employ fully qualified EWP mechanics. Being able to offer an apprenticeship to school leavers or adult learners helps to make our industry more attractive and is a huge step forward for our careers in hire programme.”

The new apprenticeship is part of the on-going development of careers in hire implemented by Australia’s Hire and Rental Industry Association.