Training System

Understanding the Training System

One of the most common questions asked of us at the CCF is to explain how the training system works. Unfortunately the fact of the matter is that this is a difficult question to answer as the training system is not straight forward.

There are a variety of rules and procedures that impact how qualifications are achieved and who pays for them. Here we will try and unpack some of this complexity to assist our members who want to engage trainees and apprentices into the future. Along the way we will highlight some of the interesting and important anomalies that exist in the system.

The article is intended to introduce employers to the training system who have not previously had a trainee or apprentice but are considering doing so in the future. Therefore the information contained here is a very broad overview. Further more detailed information is available by contacting Aidan Leonard, Operations Manager (Training Services) on 07 3360 7955 at the CCF Queensland Branch.

All of the information provided below is based on the training provided by our training division Civil Train. This information will not be relevant for other training providers.

Understanding Training Packages, Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Before you launch into training someone, you need to identify what you want them trained in and to what level. The best place to start is to identify the level of training that would be appropriate. There are four main levels of qualification applicable to civil construction in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) System. These are:

• Certificate I This level of qualification can be considered a base or introductory level. This is most suitable for young people still at school.
• Certificate II This level is for someone looking for greater development than offered in a Certificate I but not the full trade qualification achieved in Certificate III - generally a skilled labourer.
• Certificate III This is Trade level Qualification
• Certificate IV This is a Supervisor level Qualification (Note: Civil Train is accredited to deliver Cert IV however training is not yet offered as the resources are currently under development).

Once the level of training is identified, it is possible to select a specific training package which will allow the student to specialize and hone particular skills. These training packages are nationally recognized qualifications that outline the skills and knowledge that are obtained by the individual on completion of the qualification.

The major training packages or qualifications offered by Civil Train are:

• RII10106 Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations
• BCC20107 Certificate II in Civil Construction
• BCC20207 Certificate II in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing)
• BCC30207 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing)
• BCC30307 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bridge Construction and Maintenance)
• BCC30407 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Foundation Work)
• BCC30507 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipe Laying)
• BCC30607 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
• BCC30707 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Road Construction and Maintenance)
• BCC30807 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Road Marking)

In the Civil Construction Industry, all Certificate III packages are considered trade qualifications. However, only BCC30607 (Plant Operations) is an apprenticeship in Queensland. All other Certificate III qualifications are Traineeships. This is an important distinction as it affects some training subsidies that are available.

Understanding the training pathway?

Civil Train can assist you in determining the appropriate skills pathway for an individual by undertaking a skills audit. The skills audit will result in one of two outcomes being recommended:

1. Gap Skilling.
Not all workers become Trainees and Apprentices and have to start at the very beginning and complete all of the competencies. Many workers have extensive experience in the industry and are simply looking to fill the gaps in their knowledge and formalize their qualifications. This is called gap skilling. This will result in the worker only needing to undertake training in identified gap areas. Generally this only applies for workers with more than 4 years experience. Gap skilling is a therefore a combination of recognition of prior learning and formal training and assessment.

2. Contract of Training
Where a large gap in skills and knowledge is identified, the assessor would usually recommend that the candidate enter into a contract of training either as a trainee or apprentice. In this case, the worker will need to be trained and assessed in all relevant competencies.

Understanding the Costs of Training

Each of the training packages listed above consist of a number of competencies. These competencies are the industry endorsed minimum standard required to competently undertake the task. On completion of the competency, the student will have agreed skills and knowledge in that area.

For example if a student is undertaking a Certificate III in Civil Construction (Bituminous Surfacing) one of the core competencies is BCCBS2003B, 'Safely handle bituminous materials'.

Generally the cost of training is made up of two elements.

1. A fee per competency; and
2. Tuition charges.

The fee per competency is payable by the employer while the tuition charge is payable by the student. Subsidies are available for both of these costs. In some circumstances the employer pays the tuition fee on behalf of the employee and collects the subsidy. Further details on these subsidies are outlined below.

The tuition charge is a flat fee per nominal hour trained. The number of nominal hours varies per competency and therefore a general estimate can not be provided for the tuition fees. This information can be provided by Civil Train upon request.

The fee per competency charged by Civil Train varies depending on training package and location of the training.

Understanding the Subsidies Available for Employers

There are a number of subsidies available to assist with the costs of training. These range from full subsidies to partial subsidies.

The subsidies available are:

1. User Choice Funding

This funding is provided by the state government and covers 100% of the fee per competency rates outlined above. However, funding is only available to workers who fit certain criteria. Workers either need to be:

- Engaged in an apprenticeship. Remember the only apprenticeship in civil is Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations); or
- Have been in the Companies employment for less that 3 months full time or less than 12 months part time and have obtained no other nationally recognized qualification. This includes qualifications not relevant to civil (eg Hospitality).

Result: Eligible Trainees and Apprentices are completely subsidized and the employer bares none of the training costs.

2. Existing Worker Funding

If you have existing workers you wish to up skill, some funding is available though existing worker funding. There are two separate programs. One is administered by the State Government and the other by Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ). Note that these funding buckets are limited annually and provided on a first come first serve basis. Once the funding runs out, fee for service arrangements will apply.

(a) Funding through the State Government
Through this program, the State Government will meet one third of the fee per competency costs outlined above regardless of what part of the state the training takes place (SEQ, Country or Remote). The employer will need to meet the other two thirds of the costs.

Result: Eligible Trainees are partially subsidized and the employer bares two thirds of the training costs.

(b) Funding through CSQ
Through this program, CSQ will pay remaining two thirds not covered by the state government above providing the training takes place in SEQ. This means that the employer costs for training delivery are again completely subsidized.

Result: Eligible Trainees are completely subsidized and the employer bares none of the training costs.

Employers should confirm these details prior to signing up an apprentice/trainee as they are subject to change.

3. Gap Skilling

Funding is available through CSQ to undertake the RPL assessment outlined above and depending on the gap identified, funding is also available to subsidise the cost of training the worker to meet the requirements of the qualification.

If the trainee does not fit into one of the funding programs listed above due either to ineligibility or because the annual funding has been expended, these trainees must be covered under a fee-for-service arrangement.

Fee for service arrangements require that the employer pay the full fee per competency listed earlier. CCF members receive a discounted rate for fee for service training through Civil Train.

In this article we have highlighted some of the basic elements of the training system. In the next edition of Qld : Insight we will cover further topics including:

- Subsidies available for trainees/apprentices to assist with the costs of Tuition Charges
- Employer incentive funding
- How to sign up a trainee/apprentice
- The obligations of the trainee/apprentice, employer and Registered Training Organisation throughout the training contract.

If you would like further information on anything covered in this article, please do not hesitate to contact Aidan Leonard, Operations Manager (Training Services) on 07 3360 7955 at the CCF Queensland Branch.