As you know FTMA Australia has been working with Forestworks, other industry bodies and fabricators to review of the Frame and Truss training competencies. These qualifications are now finalised, and Timber Training Creswick and TABMA Training will put the new qualifications on their scope.
The RTO’s will have 12 months to transition to the new qualifications, however, that does not mean you cannot sign up new trainees now through to take advantage of the government subsidies.
FTMA Australia has received queries from members about what is involved in the training, such as how is it delivered. Our two RTO’s, TTC & TABMA have both provided an overview on how it all works for the frame and truss industry.
Fitec Australia trading as TABMA Training has been in existence for 20+ years. We specialise in the Forest and Timber industry. Our qualifications in this area range from Timber Merchandising, Timber Manufactured Products, and Frame and Truss Manufacturing and Design. We mainly offer programs at the Certificate III and Certificate IV level.
Our trainers are acknowledged specialists in their field with over 15+ years working in various sectors of the industry.
Timber Training Creswick (TTC) is a specialist Registered Training Organisation for the forest and timber industry based in Creswick, Victoria.
From our training sawmill facility, we service the timber frame and truss sector in Victoria, NSW, and Tasmania for both qualifications and short courses in fabrication and design.
What is the process involved with qualifications training?
TABMA Training
The simplest process involved is enrolling in a qualification and selecting units that best suit the operations of the Job Role, the participant and the Frame and Truss plant. There may be recognition of prior learning (RPL) and current competencies (RCC) that will result in a more accelerated program of study.
Typical programs will be 12 months in duration at the Certificate 3 level and up to 18 months at the Certificate 4 level.
Timber Training Creswick
Frame and Truss Qualifications Delivered:
FWP30916 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture – this qualification contains both design and fabrication streams and is available as subsidised traineeships or on a full fee basis to new and existing workers. This qualification is 2 years duration with most learners completing in about 20 months.
FWP40416 Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Design – This qualification is for advanced designers and incorporates generation of more complicated designs. This qualification has entry requirements from the Certificate III program that must be met before learners can commence. Subsidised traineeships for this qualification are available but learners must be able to meet the entry level requirements. This qualification is 2 years duration assuming learners meet the entry requirements. Otherwise it will take 3 years.
Short courses:
In addition to the qualifications we can deliver a range of short courses including manual handling, Using handheld tools and visual stress grading of hardwood and softwood.
How is the training and assessment delivered?
Prior to COVID-19, TABMA Training would conduct on site visits to undertake the training and assessment. Units would be clustered in logical groupings to ensure maximum learning. A typical program would consist of training 2 units on Visit 1 followed by assessment of those units 1 month later and training of the next 2 units. That way a building block of learning and assessment would take place over a 12-month process as the participants gained more skills and knowledge.
During COVID, we have reverted to mainly Zoom based training and site visits in Qld and NSW. So even though it is not business as usual, the Zoom training allows us to reach regional areas and SA more cost efficiently.
Our training and assessment strategy has worked very well for organisations such Langs; Lawman’s Frame and Truss; JH Williams and Northwest Frames and Trusses to name just a few. Many of our Certificate 3 students go on the complete a Certificate IV.
Frame and Truss Qualifications Delivered:
FWP30916 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture- this qualification contains both design and fabrication streams and is available as subsidised traineeships or on a full fee basis to new and existing workers. This qualification is 2 years duration with most learners completing in about 20 months.
FWP40416 Certificate IV in Timber Truss and Frame Design – This qualification is for advanced designers and incorporates generation of more complicated designs. This qualification has entry requirements from the Certificate III program that must be met before learners can commence. Subsidised traineeships for this qualification are available but learners must be able to meet the entry level requirements. This qualification is 2 years duration assuming learners meet the entry requirements. Otherwise it will take 3 years.
Short courses:
In addition to the qualifications we can deliver a range of short courses including manual handling, Using handheld tools and visual stress grading of hardwood and softwood.
Funding Options
|
Region |
Cert III in Frame & Truss Manufacture |
Cert III in Frame & Truss Design |
Cert IV in Frame & Truss Manufacture |
|
ACT |
TTC – Full Fee $7000 |
TTC – Full Fee $7000 |
TTC – Full Fee $7000 |
|
NSW |
TABMA & TTC – Fee free funding for new workers or $2810 for existing workers |
TABMA & TTC – Fee free funding for new workers or $2810 for existing workers |
TABMA & TTC – Fee free funding for new workers or $2810 for existing workers |
|
NT |
TTC – Full Fee plus Travel $7000 (when lockdown allows) |
TTC – Full Fee plus Travel $7000 (when lockdown allows) |
TTC – Full Fee plus Travel $7000 (when lockdown allows) |
|
QLD |
TABMA – $2700 TTC – Not Available |
TABMA – $2700 TTC – Not Available |
TABMA – $2700 TTC – Not Available |
|
SA |
TABMA – $1025 TTC – Full Fee plus Travel $7000 (when lockdown allows) |
TABMA – $1025 TTC – Full Fee plus Travel $7000 (when lockdown allows) |
TABMA – Fee upon Enquiry TTC – Full Fee $9000 |
|
TAS |
TTC – $2700 |
TTC – $2700 |
TTC – $3000 |
|
VIC |
TTC – $2700 |
TTC – $2700 |
TTC – $3000 |
|
WA |
TTC – $7000 |
TTC – $7000 |
TTC – $9000 |
How Do I Get Started?
If you have employed new staff within the last 3 months or are about to, then the first step is to get an Apprenticeship Centre (AASN) out to sign up your staff member to a traineeship as State based funding and Federal Government employment grants will apply.
Refer to the FTMA Fact Sheet on Trainees & Apprentices Incentives
The AASN will assess the eligibly of your staff member and if you are converting casuals to permanent part time or part time to full time or employing new staff then you may be eligible for the Federal Government Wage Subsidy boost. But you have to act quickly to access these wage subsidies as places are being snapped up and will be gone by the end of this year!
So What’s Next?
You have a number of options to streamline the process. You can either:
- Contact June Dunleavy, General Manager of TABMA Training who will guide you through the process. Dr June can be contacted on 0418 775 117 or email june.d@tabmatraining.edu.au
- Contact Rob Rule, General manager of Timber Training Creswick on 0409 863 827 or email at info@timbertrainingcreswick.com.au
- Contact FTMA Australia on 0418 226 242 to seek answers to any questions.
Now definitely is the time to consider taking on a trainee and FTMA Australia is here to assist in anyway needed.
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