Overview
Lay the foundation for a career in metal fabrication and engineering with a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade MEM30319 at Victoria University Polytechnic.
This course will give you the knowledge and skills required to work in the metals and engineering industry. You’ll learn to make and repair steel and other metal products and structures such as boilers and storage tanks, and develop industry-specific skills including:
- metal fabrication
- forming and shaping techniques
- forging
- founding
- structural steel erection
- electroplating
- metal spinning and polishing
- sheet metal work
- welding
- mechanical and thermal cutting.
You'll learn broad engineering skills such as planning, measurement, marking out, computing and computer-aided drafting (CAD). This course also teaches you occupational health and safety principles, and how to follow workplace safety regulations.
This is an apprenticeship course.
Industry links & recognition
The Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade MEM30319 is recognised by the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (ASSDA).
You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills.
Hands-on learning
Everything you learn at Victoria University Polytechnic has direct links to the real world.
You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose machinery at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge. You’ll become skilled at using tools such as welding and cutting equipment.
Learning a trade with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.
Learning advice
VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.
Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.
We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.
Our programs include:
- workshops
- drop-in sessions
- peer mentoring
- maths and writing resources
- resume and career guidance.
We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.
Libraries & computer facilities
Our campus libraries have photocopying, computing and printing facilities as well as electronic and print resources.
You'll also have access to a rich collection of online resources at any time of the day or night, including:
- databases
- e-learning content for courses
- student email
- student software packages
- social networking tools.
On campus, we make sure that all of our students have access to digital resources. We offer:
- excellent WiFi networks
- more than 4000 computers (PCs and Apple Macs) across our campuses
- a central IT helpdesk for technical help.
Pathways to higher qualifications
Once you have successfully completed Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade MEM30319, you can advance into the following qualifications with VU Polytechnic:
Need some advice?
Request a call back from one of our experienced Victoria University Polytechnic course advisers to get your questions answered.
Request a call backTAFE resources
Careers
After finishing the course, you could pursue a career as one of the following:
- fitter (metal)
- fitter and turner
- maintenance mechanic/motor mechanic
- mechanical fitter
- metal fabricator
- plant mechanic
- tool and die maker
- toolmaker.
Nationally recognised training
This course is nationally recognised training.
Course structure
The course structure comprises the following core and elective units. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback.
To be awarded the MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (General Award), units of competency to the value of 96 points must be achieved, chosen as outlined below:
- all core units of competency listed below (totalling 33 points);
- elective units of competency to a minimum value of 40 points from Groups A, B, C, D, E, F and G as described below, and;
- elective units of competency to a maximum value of 23 points from Group H to bring the total value to 96 points.
To be awarded the MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Welding), units of competency to the value of 96 points must be achieved, chosen as outlined below:
- all core units of competency listed below (totalling 33 points);
- elective units of competency to a minimum value of 40 points from Group C as described below, and;
- elective units of competency to a maximum value of 23 points from Group H to bring the total value to 96 points.
To be awarded the MEM30319 Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding), units of competency to the value of 96 points must be achieved, chosen as outlined below:
- all core units of competency listed below (totalling 33 points);
- elective units of competency to a minimum value of 40 points from Group D as described below, and;
- elective units of competency to a maximum value of 23 points from Group H to bring the total value to 96 points.
Appropriate Group H elective units to the value of 8 points may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses where those units are available for inclusion at Certificate III. Only select units that would be suitable for occupational outcomes in a fabrication trade environment. Electives must be industry relevant as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.
Prerequisites
Points associated with prerequisites count towards the total. All prerequisites are included in the units listed.
Specialisations
The Polytechnic offer the following specialisations:
- Boilermaking/welding, and;
- Welding.
Note: At the start the third (3rd) year of apprenticeship, in order to specialise in one of the listed specialisation student select and discuss their preferred stream.
Course structure and units
VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).
CORE UNITS
General Award
Group A
Group D
Group H
Continuing Students Only
Group A
Specialisation: Boilermaking/welding
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group D
Group D
Group H
Specialisation: Welding
ELECTIVE UNITS
Group C
Group C
Group H
Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers:
Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.
Learning outcomes
This qualification defines the skills and knowledge required of an engineering tradesperson - fabrication within metal, engineering, manufacturing and associated industries. The qualification has been specifically developed to meet the needs of apprentices in the above trade.
This qualification must be undertaken through a Training Contract or through formal trade recognition assessment processes.
The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range of fabrication work, including undertaking metal fabrication, structural steel erection, sheetmetal work, welding, blacksmithing and surface finishing.
This qualification is designed to provide an industry recognised skills profile related to trade work as an Engineering Tradesperson - Fabrication.
Assessment of some units of competency must, where indicated, include evidence of the candidate's performance in a functioning workplace where there is a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application of those units. All outcomes must reflect the standard of performance inherent in the job.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this qualification at the time of publication. However, in some jurisdictions units in this qualification may relate to licensing or regulatory requirements. Local regulations should be checked.
Fees & scholarships
Fee type for this course: VET
Fee type definitions
The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.
Students who enrol in a:
- government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
- full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).
Calculate your VET course fees.
Find out more about:
- the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF)
- ways to pay your fees
- important fee dates
- how to apply for a VE/TAFE refund
Scholarships & assistance
Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.
We can help with fee assistance and advice.
Admission & pathways
Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.
If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.
Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.
Entry requirements
As part of the application process, applicants must complete a Pre-training Review (PTR) and undertake a literacy and numeracy (LN) assessment to determine suitability for admission.
This course has local admission requirements: Applicants must be employed as an apprentice. Applicants must have a training contract with their employer, this contract must be registered with the VRQA and the apprentice must have been issued with an Epsilon number.
Pathways from VU courses
There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.
Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.
How to apply
Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.
Before you apply
Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.
Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:
- Credit transfer/Recognition of prior learning (RPL): If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.
Apply direct to VU
Apply direct to VU using our admission centre, submit applications for one or more courses, track and save your progress and upload additional information.
Already a VU student?
If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.
After you apply
- It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
- Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered
Enquire now – TAFE
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Contact VU Polytechnic
Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.
At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.
