Commissioner's Information Bulletin 548

Aeroskills - Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services

Date of effect: 27 July 2012

Updated: 3 September 2021

In this Commissioner's Information Bulletin (CIB) update the following vocation is varied to update the diploma national qualification code as follows:

  • Aeroskills - Mechanical

Additionally, industrial instruments are update to align with national wage reform.

All other VTOs remain unchanged.

Qualifications, structure and packaging

Transition Arrangements

Industrial arrangements

Part-time apprenticeships

Competency based progression of apprenticeships

Competency based completion

School based apprenticeships and traineeships

Licensing and regulatory arrangements

Registered training organisations

Funding arrangements

Inspecting Vocational Training Orders

Enquiries

To sign up an apprentice or trainee call 1300 363 831. To find a job in an apprenticeship or traineeship search here.

For implementation of new pathways in relation to this training package profile please contact Manufacturing Skills Australia NSW ITAB Leon Drury Mobile: 0414 912 383.

David Collins
The Commissioner for Vocational Training

Job descriptions

Apprenticeships

Jobs at Certificate III level are in aircraft maintenance organisations or specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations. Jobs are to prepare the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components for the application of surface finishes, apply paint, specialist finishes and decals or stencils. They also apply aircraft registration markings, national markings and organisational logos.
Other tasks may include:

  • performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
  • removing surface coatings from aircraft or aircraft components
  • pre-treating aluminium alloy surfaces
  • sealing aircraft and aircraft component structural seams
  • removing light corrosion
  • preparing spray painting materials and equipment.

Jobs at Certificate IV level are in aircraft surface finishing organisations or the Australian Defence Force. Jobs involve the supervision of aircraft surface finishing activities on State aircraft. This may involve painting, application of specialist finishes, and application of markings, logos and decals.
Other tasks may include:

  • applying quality standards applicable to aviation maintenance processes
  • applying air dry and polyurethane enamel refinishing materials
  • applying occupational health and safety procedures at supervisor level in aviation maintenance
  • removing and installing aircraft hydro-mechanical and landing gear system components
  • supervising maintenance teams and performing maintenance quality inspections.

Jobs at Certificate IV level are in civil aviation maintenance organisations or in the Australian Defence Force. Jobs involve performing scheduled inspections, fault diagnosis and repair and modification of fixed wing aircraft electrical, instrument and radio systems and system components.

Other tasks may include:

  • fabricating and repairing aircraft electrical hardware or parts
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft pulse systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting fixed wing aircraft automatic flight control systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft radio frequency navigation and communications systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft instrument systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft electrical systems and components.

Jobs at Diploma level are for holders of a Civil Aviation Safety Authority B2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. Jobs involve supervising, performing and certifying avionic maintenance on fixed wing aircraft that are type-rated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for maintenance purposes.

Other tasks may include:

  • planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
  • supervising civil aircraft maintenance activities and managing human resources in the workplace
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft electrical systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft instrument systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft radio frequency navigation and communications systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting fixed wing aircraft automatic flight control systems and components
  • testing and troubleshooting aircraft pulse systems and components.

Jobs at Certificate IV level are to inspect and undertake fault diagnosis of airframe and engine systems, components and accessories on aircraft. Components may include landing gears, wheels and brakes, pressurisation, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, flight control systems, environmental control systems, fire detection and preventions systems, undercarriage and ice and rain protection systems.

Other tasks may include:

  • interpreting and using industry manuals and specifications
  • planning and organising work activities
  • fabricating and repairing aircraft mechanical components or parts
  • repairing and overhauling aircraft hydro-mechanical systems and components
  • repairing and overhauling gas turbine engine components and modules.

Jobs at Diploma level are for holders of a Civil Aviation Safety Authority B1.1 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Licence. Jobs involve supervising, performing and certifying avionic maintenance on fixed wing jet aircraft that are type-rated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for maintenance purposes.

Other tasks may include:

  • supervising civil aircraft maintenance activities and managing human resources in the workplace
  • planning and implementing civil aircraft maintenance activities
  • inspecting, testing and troubleshooting pressurisation control systems and components
  • maintaining and repairing aircraft mechanical components or parts
  • testing and troubleshooting gas turbine engine systems and components
  • performing advanced troubleshooting in aircraft mechanical maintenance
  • inspecting, repairing and maintaining aircraft structures.

Jobs at Certificate III level apply to individuals employed within the general aviation industry sector to undertake maintenance on small aircraft. These persons are not seeking direct progression to a CASA B1.2 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licence that is limited to basic small aircraft maintenance. The qualification may provide helpful initial Aeroskills training for individuals transitioning from an allied trade to employment on small aircraft maintenance.

Duties may include:

  • aircraft flight servicing
  • planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
  • interpreting and using aviation maintenance manuals and specifications
  • removing and installing aircraft electrical hardware and components
  • fabricating and repairing aircraft electrical hardware or parts
  • using electrical test equipment

Jobs at Certificate IV level apply to individuals employed in a more advanced capacity within the general aviation industry sector to work on the maintenance of small aircraft. The qualification provides a training pathway for people seeking a B1 or B2 aviation licence.
At the core level, learning includes:

  • interpreting and applying occupational health and safety practices
  • planning and organising aviation maintenance work activities
  • using aviation maintenance industry manuals
  • performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals
  • performing administrative processes to prepare for aircraft maintenance certification
  • planning and implementing civil aircraft maintenance activities

Apprentices will then choose electives from six technical streams, depending on the type of licence being sought.

Jobs in Structures are in aviation maintenance organisations or the Australian Defence Force. The work involves repairing and modifying aircraft structures.

Other tasks may include:

  • removing and installing aircraft hydro-mechanical and landing gear system components
  • removing and installing aircraft pneumatic system components
  • removing and installing pressurised aircraft structural and non-structural components
  • removing and installing aircraft fixed wing flight control system components
  • disassembling and reassembling aircraft structure for major repair or modification
  • repairing and modifying aircraft composite material structure/components.

Traineeships

Jobs at Certificate II in Aeroskills level are in aviation maintenance workshops. Jobs involve assisting with maintenance, inspection and fault diagnosis on a limited range of electrical, electronic, instrument and radio systems, components and parts on aircraft.

Other tasks may include:

  • performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
  • performing routine removal and installation of miscellaneous aircraft electrical hardware and components
  • fabricating aircraft electrical looms and harnesses
  • using electrical test equipment to perform basic electrical tests
  • dismantling, inspecting, maintaining and assembling aircraft non-primary structural removable components or parts and internal fittings.

Jobs at Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing level are with aircraft maintenance organisations or specialist aircraft surface finishing organisations. Jobs involve the stripping of old finishes and in the preparation of aircraft and aircraft component surfaces for the application of paint and other specialist surface finishes.

Other tasks may include:

  • performing basic hand skills, standard trade practices and fundamentals in aviation maintenance
  • removing surface coatings from aircraft or aircraft components
  • pre-treating aluminium alloy surfaces
  • sealing aircraft and aircraft component structural seams
  • dismantling, inspecting, maintaining and assembling aircraft non-primary structural removable components or parts and internal fittings.

Competency based Progression

Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 12 months or part-time nominal term of 18 months - reduced from full-time nominal terms of 48 months and 60 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO.
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.

Stage of apprenticeship Entry, progression and exit requirements
  Apprentices enter Stage 3

Progression to Stage 4

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:

  • on attainment of 75% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 3 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 3 (whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to complete the competencies.

Exit
  • Upon attainment of 100% of the units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan.
  • On successful completion of the qualification, the parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 36 months or part-time nominal term of 54 months - reduced from full-time nominal term of 48 months where the apprentice holds the lower level qualification specified in the VTO.
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.

Stage of apprenticeship Entry, progression and exit requirements
  Apprentices enter Stage 2

Progression to Stage 3

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:

  • On attainment of 50% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 2 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 2 (whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Progression to Stage 4

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:

  • on attainment of 75% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 3 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 3(whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to compete the competencies.

Exit
  • Upon attainment of 100% of the units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan.
  • On successful completion of the qualification, the parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship.


For apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 48 months or part-time nominal term of 72 months - direct entry
The rate of progress will be determined as follows.

Stage of apprenticeship Entry, progression and exit requirements
Stage 1 Nil entry requirements

Progression to Stage 2

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 2:

  • on attainment of 25% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 1 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 1 (whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Progression to Stage 3

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 3:

  • On attainment of 50% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 2 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 2 (whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Progression to Stage 4

Full-time and part-time apprentices progress to Stage 4:

  • on attainment of 75% of the total units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan

or

  • 12 months after commencing Stage 3 (whichever is earlier) - full-time apprentices

and

  • 18 months after commencing Stage 3 (whichever is earlier) - part-time apprentices

Note: The nominal term may be extended by up to 12 months in Stage 4 in the apprenticeship where required to complete the competencies.

Exit
  • Upon attainment of 100% of the units of competency for the relevant qualification as specified in the training plan.
  • On successful completion of the qualification, the parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Aeroskills - Aircraft Surface Finishing - Apprenticeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualifications
Terms of apprenticeships

Full-time:

  • MEA30118 Certificate III in Aircraft Surface Finishing
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 36 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA20618 Certificate II in Aircraft Surface Finishing
  • MEA40918 Certificate IV in Aircraft Surface Finishing
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA30118 Certificate III in Aircraft Surface Finishing

Part-time:
See part-time apprenticeships
Probationary periods

Where the nominal term is:

  • up to and including 24 months - 2 months
  • greater than 24 months - 3 months

Aeroskills - Avionics - Apprenticeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualifications
Terms of apprenticeships

Full-time:

  • MEA40618 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 36 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills (Avionic technical stream)
  • MEA50118 Diploma of Aeroskills (Avionics)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA40618 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Avionics)

Part-time:
See part-time apprenticeships
School based

Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:

  • 24 months part-time while at school where the apprentice will undertake a minimum of 100 days of work-based training and
  • 36 months full-time post school or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship.
Probationary periods Where the nominal term is:
  • up to and including 24 months - 2 months
  • greater than 24 months - 3 months

Aeroskills - Mechanical - Apprenticeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 September 2021
Qualifications
Terms of apprenticeships

Full-time:

  • MEA40718 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 36 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills (Mechanical technical stream)
  • MEA50219 Diploma of Aeroskills (Mechanical)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA40718 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)

Part-time:
See part-time apprenticeships
School based

Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:

  • 24 months part-time while at school where the apprentice will undertake a minimum of 100 days of work-based training and
  • 36 months full-time post school or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship.
Probationary periods Where the nominal term is:
  • up to and including 24 months - 2 months
  • greater than 24 months - 3 months

Aeroskills - Mechatronics - Apprenticeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualifications
Terms of apprenticeships

Full-time:

  • MEA30218 Certificate III in Aeroskills (Mechatronics)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA30218 Certificate III in Aeroskills (Mechatronics)

Part-time:

See part-time apprenticeships
Probationary periods Where the nominal term is:
  • up to and including 24 months - 2 months
  • greater than 24 months - 3 months

Aeroskills - Structures - Apprenticeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualification

MEA41318 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures)

Terms of apprenticeship

Full-time:

  • MEA41318 Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Structures)
    • 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
    • 36 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the apprentice holds MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills (Structures technical stream)

Part-time:
See part-time apprenticeships
School based

Training shall be given for a nominal period of 60 months comprising:

  • 24 months part-time while at school where the apprentice will undertake a minimum of 100 days of work-based training and
  • 36 months full-time post school or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

The apprentice's progress post-school will be determined as per the model above, commencing at Stage 2 of the apprenticeship.
Probationary periods 3 months

Traineeships

Aeroskills - Traineeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualification MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills
Terms of traineeship

Full-time:

  • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

Part-time:

See part-time traineeships
School based

MEA20418 Certificate II in Aeroskills

School based part-time trainees will undertake structured training for a minimum of 100 days across a 24 month period within which trainees shall be required to demonstrate competencies relevant to the Vocational Training Order.
Probationary period 2 months

Aeroskills - Aircraft Surface Finishing - Traineeship

Vocational Training Order

Date of effect 27 July 2012
Updated 2 November 2018
Qualification
Terms of traineeship

Full-time:

  • 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

Part-time:
See part-time traineeships
School based

School based part-time trainees will undertake structured training for a minimum of 100 days across a 24 month period within which trainees shall be required to demonstrate competencies relevant to the Vocational Training Order.
Probationary period 2 months
Page last updated: 3 September 2021