The UEE11 Electrotechnology Training Package qualifications range from Certificate I to Advanced Diplomas and includes apprenticeship and traineeship qualifications as follows:

Apprenticeships

Fifteen qualifications support apprenticeship pathways, as follows:

• UEE30211 Certificate III in Computer Systems Equipment
• UEE30411 Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications
• UEE30611 Certificate III in Electrical Machine Repair
• UEE30711 Certificate III in Switchgear and Control Gear
• UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• UEE30911 Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
• UEE31211 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
• UEE31411 Certificate III in Security Equipment
• UEE32111 Certificate III in Appliance Service
• UEE32211 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• UEE33011 Certificate III in Electrical Fitting
• UEE40411 Certificate IV in Electrical - Instrumentation
• UEE40911 Certificate IV in Industrial Electronics and Control
• UEE41211 Certificate IV in Electrical - Rail Signalling
• UEE42211 Certificate IV in Instrumentation and Control

Traineeships

Twelve qualifications support traineeship pathways, as follows:

• UEE20411 Certificate II in Winding and Assembly
• UEE20511 Certificate II in Computer Assembly and Repair *
• UEE20711 Certificate II in Data and Voice Communications
• UEE21211 Certificate II in Antennae Equipment
• UEE21611 Certificate II in Security Assembly and Setup
• UEE21711 Certificate II in Technical Support
• UEE21911 Certificate II in Electronics
• UEE22011 Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
• UEE22111 Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start)
• UEE50411 Diploma of Electrical Engineering
• UEE60211 Advanced Diploma of Electronics and Communications Engineering
• UEE62211 Advanced Diploma of Electrical – Engineering

* This qualification has been added.

On successful completion of the relevant qualification

• parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship or traineeship prior to the nominal completion date of the training contract or;
• Training Services NSW may issue letters from the Commissioner to both parties inviting them to consider competency based completion if it has received advice from the training organisation that the apprentice or trainee is eligible to receive their qualification.

For more information and an application form, click here.

Nominal hours

Part-time apprentices must be given at least 21 hours of paid employment per week. The hours of employment are to include any time required to complete training and assessment by a registered training organisation as specified in the relevant training plan. These hours can be averaged over a four week period.

When the registered training organisation is in recess, the 21 hours per week can be weighted in favour of on-the-job training. If and when formal training is delivered by block release, the 21 hours can be weighted in favour of the off-the-job training.

Nominal term

The nominal term for a part time apprenticeship will be the nominal term specified in the Vocational Training Order multiplied by 1.5. This formula will also be applied when converting a full time apprenticeship to a part time apprenticeship or on re-establishing an apprenticeship on a part time basis where the balance of the relevant nominal term must be multiplied by 1.5.

Formal training

Delivery of the formal training should not be affected by the proposed part-time arrangements. However, when developing the training plan the registered training organisation should consider the number of employment hours specified in the training contract and the nominal term of the apprenticeship.

Other provisions

All other provisions that apply to full-time apprenticeships as stated in the relevant Vocational Training Order must apply to a part-time apprenticeship established under that Order.

Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish an apprenticeship or traineeship, whether full-time, part-time or school based will not be approved unless the Commissioner for Vocational Training is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Apprentices and trainees may be employed under the following awards:

• Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2010
• MA000010 - Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations
• Public Health Service Employees Skilled trades (State) Award
• Rail Industry Award 2010

All private sector employers and employees in New South Wales are covered by the national industrial relations system administered by the Fair Work Commission (the Commission). The industrial instrument that applies is a national (modern) award or a current enterprise agreement registered with the Commission. Further information is available from the Fair Work Ombudsman by telephoning 13 13 94 or via their website.

The following apprenticeship qualification is suitable for delivery as part of a Higher Education Apprenticeship Pathway:

• UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

View further information on delivery requirements for the Higher Education Apprenticeship Pathway option.

The following qualifications are suitable for delivery as school based apprenticeships:

• UEE30411 Certificate III in Data and Voice Communications
• UEE30811 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• UEE30911 Certificate III in Electronics and Communications
• UEE32111 Certificate III in Appliance Service
• UEE32211 Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
• UEE33011 Certificate III in Electrical Fitting

The following qualifications are suitable for delivery as school based traineeships:

• UEE20511 Certificate II in Computer Assembly and Repair *
• UEE20711 Certificate II in Data and Voice Communications *
• UEE21711 Certificate II in Technical Support
• UEE22011 Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
• UEE22111 Certificate II in Sustainable Energy (Career Start)

*These qualifications have been added as school based traineeships.

For qualifications available for delivery in schools, click here.

For all school based traineeships currently being delivered in New South Wales, refer to School Based Traineeships.

For further information on the delivery of training for school based part-time traineeships, refer to Training Arrangements.

Guide on licensing requirements for supervisors of apprentices and trainees and the specialist work that may be undertaken by electrical apprentices and trainees under licensed supervision.

Vocational Training Orders marked with a single indicator hash (#)

Specialist Work is either a) electrical wiring work; b) air-conditioning and refrigeration trade work (or plumbing trade work which is covered in CIB 663) may not be undertaken by apprentices or trainees in vocations marked with a hash # except:

As an employee of an individual, partnership or corporation that is the holder of the appropriate contractor licence (either a) electrical wiring work, b) air-conditioning and refrigeration trade work) pursuant to Sections 4, 12 and 13 of the Home Building Act 1989; and

Under the supervision and subject to the direction of the holder of an endorsed contractor licence (a contractor licence with a supervisor endorsement) OR supervisor certificate corresponding to the work being performed (a/b) pursuant to Division 2 of the NSW Home Building Act 1989. This is the licence number to be place on the Training Plan Proposal (TPP) and the Training Plan (TP).

Vocational Training Orders marked with a double indicator hash (##)

Air-conditioning and refrigeration work is also subject to the Commonwealth licensing scheme administered by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC).  This requires anyone who installs, services, or repairs air conditioning and refrigeration equipment to be a licensed technician in accordance with regulations set under the Commonwealth Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management 1989.  Accordingly persons supervising or directing apprentices or trainees in the installation, service, or repair of air-conditioning or refrigeration equipment should also hold the appropriate ARC licence. This is the licence number to be placed on the Training Plan Proposal (TPP) and the Training Plan (TP).

Vocational Training Orders marked with a triple indicator hash (###)

Communications cabling work is subject to Commonwealth regulation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).  ACMA administers a registration system in accordance with Cabling Provider Rules (CPR).The Telecommunication Cabling Provider Rules 2014, (CPR):

1. Defines three categories of Cabling Work, (Part 2 of the CPR) e.g:
1. Open Cabling Work
2. Restricted Cabling Work
3. Lift Cabling Work.
2. Requires the performance of Cabling Work to be to be undertaken by a registered cabling provider.
3. Requires individuals who are un-registered to be “supervised at all times while performing Cabling Work by a registered cabling provider in the appropriate category of Cabling Work.

Accordingly employers with apprentices or trainees undertaking Cabling Work must be a registered cabling provider, in the appropriate category of Cabling Work and must ensure the performance of Cabling Work complies with Part 4 of the CPR.  ACMA requires cabling providers to register with an ACMA accredited registrar.  This is the licence number to be placed on the Training Plan Proposal (TPP) and the Training Plan (TP).

The NSW Utilities & Electrotechnology ITAB publishes information about careers in the electrotechnology industry.

NSW Fair Trading administers licensing in New South Wales details on electrotechnology, electrical and electrical licensing requirements can be found on their website or by calling 13 32 20.

Electrical work

Persons wishing to carry out certain electrical work in NSW must hold the correct electrical licence for the work. In addition, if they wish to contract for, or carry out electrical work for fee or reward, they may also need to apply for an electrical contractor licence.

Apprentices completing the Certificate III and Certificate IV trade qualifications of:

• Electrotechnology Electrician
• Electrical Instrumentation
• Electrical Rail Signalling
• Industrial Electronics and Control may be able to obtain a qualified Supervisors Certificate - Electrical upon completion of their apprenticeship

A restricted electrical licence is required to perform the disconnection or reconnection of fixed electrical equipment which is necessary to perform a primary job function. The purpose of restricted electrical licensing is to provide a means of allowing appropriately trained and competent workers to undertake the straight forward disconnection/reconnection of electrical equipment where that electrical work is incidental to the person’s principal function in the workplace.

Applicants must satisfy NSW Fair Trading criteria at the time of application to be granted a licence.

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration and Appliance Servicing

Apprentices completing the Certificate III trade qualification in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration may be able to obtain a Qualified Supervisor Certificate – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Work upon completion of their apprenticeship. Applicants must satisfy NSW Fair Trading criteria at the time of application to be granted a licence.

Apprentices completing Certificate III trade qualifications in both these industry areas may be able to apply for a Commonwealth Government refrigerant handling licence through the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). For more information, call 1300 88 44 83 or visit the ARC website.

Apprentices are bound by the provisions of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Legislation Amendment Bill 2003.

Security equipment - apprentices and trainees

People working with security equipment are required to hold a Class 2 licence in accordance with the Security Industry Regulation 2007.

However the Security Industry Amendment (Exemption) Regulation 2008 exempts security assembly and security equipment trainees from requiring a Class 2 licence while carrying out security activities in the course of their traineeship.

As a result of this Regulation, trainees undertaking UEE31411 Certificate III in Security Equipment do not need a Class 2 licence. The exemption though, does not apply if:

a) the trainee concerned would be refused a licence because of a criminal or other related history (under section 16 of the Security Industry Act 1997 and only applies

b) while the trainee is directly supervised by the holder of a licence that authorises the carrying on of those activities.

Further information is available from Exemption for apprentices and trainees.

Employers and employees are bound by the provisions of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011. However, working with electrical equipment and refrigerants could be potentially dangerous or risky for new entrants or young workers to undertake and carries its own health and safety requirements.

Employers should take all reasonable steps to ensure that “persons in training” are not placed in the immediate vicinity of an exposed live high voltage conductor or apparatus, and are not required to work where there is a risk of coming into contact with an exposed live low voltage conductor or apparatus.

Employers should prohibit “persons in training” from working at a place where there is a risk of contact with exposed live conductors or apparatus unless the “persons in training” have been adequately trained and skilled in all the prevailing safe working procedures for the work activity and work environment

Employers should take all reasonable steps to ensure that “persons in training” who are required to perform electrical work are appropriately supervised by a licensed electrical worker able to perform the work, to take all reasonable steps to ensure electrical safety at all times.

Apprentices and trainees should be advised and instructed in CPR and rescue techniques; and the correct use of personnel protective equipment, safety equipment; and testing equipment. Appropriate use of protective work clothing, insulated work footwear (sole), safety glasses and other safety essentials are a necessary part of accident prevention practices and also should be advised. Included are insulating gloves, mats, covers, and similar safety equipment, where appropriate, CPR, recovery apparatus and correct use of testing equipment/instruments.

For registered training providers which can deliver the apprenticeship qualifications go to training.gov.au.

A list of training organisations which are in contract with the NSW Department of Industry to be paid for the delivery of the training is here.

From 1 January 2015 the NSW Government introduced new fee arrangements for government subsidised vocational education and training (VET). Under Smart and Skilled, all apprenticeship and most traineeship qualifications are subsidised. For a full list of all the qualifications refer to the current NSW Skills List. Information on the types and levels of subsidies can be found in the "Smart and Skilled Fee Administration Policy". Training for existing-worker trainees is not subsidised.

From 14 December 2015 Training Services NSW and Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) transition arrangements will be aligned.

A superseded qualification in the Vocational Training Orders on this page can be specified on apprenticeship and traineeship applications for up to 12 months after the training package is released on the National Register. Registered training organisations (RTOs) may commence training in either the new or superseded qualification but must meet the requirements of ASQA. For more information refer to ASQA's General Direction - Learner Transition.

A copy of each Vocational Training order is available for inspection on this internet site below or at any Training Services NSW Regional Office of the NSW Department of Industry.

For any enquiries regarding this Commissioners Information Bulletin, please contact Apprenticeships and Traineeships on (02) 8267 7704.

Approved by Emil Tabone
for the Commissioner for Vocational Training