Commissioner's Information Bulletin 648
Civil Construction, Drilling and Mining
Resource and Infrastructure - Apprenticeships and Traineeships
Date of effect: 29 February 2016
Updated: 20 April 2020
In this Commissioner's Information Bulletin (CIB) two qualification codes have been updated:
Both of these qualifications are deemed equivalent.
The affected vocational training orders are:
Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Bridge Construction and Maintenance – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - General – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Pipe Laying – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Road Construction and Maintenance – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Timber Bridge Construction and Maintenance – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Tunnel Construction – Apprenticeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Road Marking – Traineeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Traffic Management – Traineeship
- RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction
Civil Construction - Trenchless Technology – Traineeship
- RII31619 Certificate III in Trenchless Technology
All other VTOs remain unchanged.
Superseded Bulletin
This Commissioner's Information Bulletin supersedes Bulletin 632.
On this page:
Vocational Training Orders (VTOs)
Apprenticeships
- Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing
- Civil Construction - Bridge Construction and Maintenance
- Civil Construction - General
- Civil Construction - Pipe Laying
- Civil Construction - Plant Operations
- Civil Construction - Road Construction and Maintenance
- Civil Construction - Timber Bridge Construction and Maintenance
- Civil Construction - Tunnel Construction
Traineeships
- Civil Construction
- Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing
- Civil Construction - Civil Foundations
- Civil Construction - Design
- Civil Construction - Operations and Management
- Civil Construction - Road Marking
- Civil Construction - Traffic Management
- Civil Construction - Trenchless Technology
- Drilling - Operations
- Drilling - Oil/Gas (On Shore)
- Drilling - Well Servicing Operations
- Mining - Emergency Response and Rescue
- Mining - Exploration
- Mining - Resource Processing
- Mining - Surface Mining
- Mining - Underground Coal Mining
- Mining - Underground Metalliferous
Qualifications, structure and packaging
Transition Arrangements
Industrial arrangements
Competency based completion
Competency based progression
School based 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 83 or to find information about a job in an apprenticeship or traineeship search here.
For implementation of new pathways in relation to this Training Package profile please contact David Castledine of the Resources and Infrastructure NSW ITAB Ltd on mobile 0407 490 003.
Approved by David Collins
the Commissioner for Vocational Training
Job descriptions
Apprenticeships
Certificate III level apprentices may provide theoretical advice and support a team and may be expected to:
- operate as a skilled worker in the civil construction industry
- apply a broad range of skills in a varied work context
- use some discretion and judgement
- have relevant theoretical knowledge
The qualification provides for specialist occupations in the following:
Certificate III apprentices will perform a range of construction support supervisory duties including controlling the site's fencing parameters, maintaining the water table, controlling traffic, pipeline work.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to assist in the construction, repair and maintenance of bridges. They work with a variety of construction materials including concrete, steel, and timber.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to spread materials to form and seal roads and footpaths. Repair damaged surfaces, undertake general maintenance of bitumen surfaces as well as operate road surfacing equipment.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to install underground pipes on major infrastructure projects such as highways, dams, airfields, and sub-divisions. Pipes may be constructed from reinforced concrete, steel and plastic and are used for stormwater, sewerage, water supply and gas pipelines that may extend many hundreds of kilometres.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to operate specialised plant and machinery to construct new roads or improve existing ones. Use specialised equipment to apply bitumen, seal, kerbs, channels, median strips, and barrier strips to roads.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to install tunnelling construction services, line tunnels, excavate and construct portals using machines and equipment.
Certificate III apprentices will learn to construct and maintain timber bridges. They may also perform other skilled work such timber bridge maintenance, installation or replacement of timber bridge super and sub-structures, performing timber bridge inspections, and splicing and connecting timber bridge components.
Certificate III apprentices may be expected to:
- identify, locate and protect underground services
- read and interpret plans and specifications
- carry out manual excavation and basic levelling
- handle Skills DMC materials
- use hand and power tools
- operate small plant and equipment
- drain and dewater civil construction site
Traineeships
Civil Construction
Certificate II trainees may be expected to:
- work in an operational role in civil construction
- undertake a prescribed range of tasks using limited practical skills
- have fundamental knowledge, in a defined context working under supervision.
Civil Construction - Advanced Diploma trainees may be expected to:
- perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical and include strategic areas and initiating activities
- take responsibility for the establishment of the site management systems, plans and policies
- demonstrate self-directed application of theoretical and technical knowledge
- devise solutions to technical problems or management requirements
Certificate III trainees may be expected to:
- safely handle bituminous materials
- perform routine tasks to place bituminous materials onto prepared surfaces, such as roads, runways or parking areas
- take samples of materials used in road surfacing
- spread compact materials manually
- implement traffic management plan
- operate small plant and equipment
Certificate III trainees may be expected to:
- install water mains pipelines, storm water systems and sewer pipelines
- maintain drainage systems
- carry out measurements and calculations
- identify, locate and protect undergrounds services
- read and interpret plans and specifications
- erect and dismantle temporary fencing and gates
- construct and dismantle fences and gates
qualification applies to specialist occupations such as:
- Traffic controller - employees set up, manage and remove temporary traffic control schemes. They may also perform other skilled work and duties to ensure the safe management of work zones or events.
- Road Marker - Employees apply road markings, signs and lines using specialised road marking plant and equipment. Project sites may include roads, bridges, footpaths, car parks, sports fields, and airfields.
Certificate IV trainees:
- provide design support for professional engineers
- design work instructions and practices to ensure the quantity and quality of the output of others
- assist in developing technical solutions to non-routine problems
Diploma trainees:
- work as designers or design para-professionals, supporting professional engineers
- carry out tasks involving a high level of autonomy and requiring the application of significant judgement in planning and determining the selection of equipment/roles/techniques for themselves and others
- develop site specific work designs to ensure the implementation of the client's site requirements
- demonstrate the application of a broad range of technical, managerial, coordination and planning skills
Advanced Diploma trainees:
- work as trained senior civil works designers or para-professional designers, supporting professional engineers
- perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical
- design complex projects to ensure the implementation of the client's site requirements
- apply their theoretical and technical knowledge to help solve technical problems or meet management requirements
Management Diploma trainees will learn to:
- work on a single or a group of civil construction sites, performing tasks involving a high level of autonomy and sound judgement
- develop site specific work instructions and practices to ensure that site management systems, plans and policies are implemented
- apply a broad range of technical, managerial, coordination and planning skills
Operations Certificate IV trainees will learn to:
- undertake technical specialist tasks involving small plant and equipment, hand and power tools
- level and excavate
- work safely on a construction site
Supervision Certificate IV trainees will learn:
- the roles of foreman, site supervisor or works supervisor
- responsibility for applying the site work instructions and practices to ensure the quantity and quality of the output of others
Certificate III trainees will learn to:
- install trench support and sub-soil draining
- replace existing pipeline systems
- install close-fit linings for existing pipeline systems
- install slip lining in existing pipeline systems
- carry out measurements and calculations
-
carry out basic levelling
Drilling
Certificate II level reflects the role of trainees such as driller's assistants who undertake a range of functions such as:
- Setting up and packing up drill site,
- supporting the drilling process,
- assisting with air drilling,
- assisting with diamond core drilling,
- assisting with guided boring,
- assisting with surface directional drilling and
- assisting with underground in-seam directional drilling
Certificate III level reflects the role of trainees such as drillers who perform tasks involving:
- Running on-site operations,
- setting up and preparing for drilling operations,
- carrying out operational maintenance,
- installing product pipe,
- conducting drilling and
- maintaining and monitoring site quality standards
Certificate IV level reflects the role of trainees such as senior drillers. They are responsible for the quantity and quality of the output of others and contribute to the development of technical solutions to non-routine problems. Duties include:
- Implementing an operational plan,
- monitoring a safe workplace,
- supervising on-site operations,
- planning and supervising mobilisation of equipment, crew and materials and
- supervising drilling operations
Diploma level reflects the role of trainees such as senior drillers or field supervisors. They may be involved in:
- Planning and supervising the mobilisation of equipment, crew and materials,
- supervising seismic drilling operations,
- supervising foundation drilling operations,
- supervising environmental drilling operations and
- supervising mineral production and development drilling operations
Advanced Diploma level reflects the role of managers who perform tasks that are broad, specialised, complex and technical. Duties may include:
- Developing and implementing business plans,
- establishing and maintaining an environmental management system,
- managing drilling operations,
- directing quality management of a project program,
- monitoring and managing business operations and
- managing multiple drilling operations
Certificate II level reflects the role of trainees such as a floorman, who may undertake functions such as:
- Performing rig floor operations,
- carrying out rig lease operations,
- carrying out operational maintenance,
- carrying out basic rig maintenance,
- supporting blow out prevention operations and
- assisting with coal seam gas control
Certificate IV level reflects the role of senior drillers working in an on shore oil/gas context. They perform tasks such as:
- Rigging up, conducting pre-spud operations and rig down,
- conducting drilling operations,
- carrying out well control and blow out prevention,
- applying risk management processes,
- coordinating air drilling operations and
- managing oil and gas drilling equipment maintenance
Diploma level reflects the role of a supervisor in a drilling operation. The tasks performed can include:
- Managing rig operations,
- planning and evaluating rig operations,
- managing drilling operations,
- managing general drilling equipment maintenance,
- overseeing drilling operations,
- managing rig move and camp move,
- managing the business's operational plan and
- implementing and maintaining management systems to control risk
Certificate II reflects the roles of a Driller's Assistants working in well servicing. The Driller's Assistant in Well servicing undertakes a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and takes some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.
Certificate IV reflects the role of trainees such as Derrickman working in a well servicing context. The Derrickman performs tasks involving a broad range of varied activities most of which are complex and non-routine. They are responsible for the quantity and quality of the output of others and contribute to the development of technical solutions to non-routine problems.
Diploma reflects the role of a Supervisor in a well servicing operation. The tasks performed by the supervisor in well servicing involve a high level of autonomy and require the application of significant judgement in planning and determining the selection of equipment/roles/techniques for themselves and others. They are required to demonstrate the application of a broad range of technical, managerial, coordination and planning skills.
Mining
Certificate III trainees will learn the role of response and rescue team members who react to mine incidents. They will be trained in a variety of functions including:
- preparing equipment for emergency response
- working in a confined space.
Certificate III trainees work in a mining explorations team or work as a pit technician. They will learn a variety of functions including:
- supporting explorations teams, geological technicians or mining geological technicians
- planning and undertaking field trips
- navigating in remote or trackless areas
- collecting and preparing core samples
Certificate III trainees will learn a variety of functions including:
- handling of reagents
- operating conveyors, pumps, valves and compressors
- operating heat exchangers
- operating gantry/slewing/vehicle loading and non-slewing cranes
Certificate II, III, IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma trainees will learn, depending on the qualification level, a variety of functions including:
- loading and hauling of raw materials
- support for mine operations
- operating light vehicles and forklifts
- operating rollers/compactors
- operating mine service vehicles such as water trucks
- operating slurry pumps
- operating conveyors
- surface operations and extraction management
Certificate II, III, IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma trainees will learn, depending on the qualification level, a variety of functions including:
- operating underground lifting
- supporting shotfiring operations
- operating rail vehicles maintain roadways
- conducting dogging operations
- operating long wall face equipment
- conducting conveyor car high wall mining operations
Certificate III trainees will learn a variety of functions including:
- maintaining magazines and the handling and transporting of explosives
- loading and hauling of raw materials
- operating trucks and conveyors
- operating rollers/compacters
- operating mine service vehicles for the transportation of plant, equipment and personnel
- underground metalliferous mining management
Competency Based Progression
Note: Competency based progression (CBP) applies to apprentices employed under any award that incorporates CBP provisions - for more information see Industrial arrangements.Direct Entry
Apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 36 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 | Apprentices progress to Stage 2:
|
Progression to Stage 3 | Apprentices progress to Stage 3:
|
Exit |
|
Advanced Entry
For apprenticeships with a full-time nominal term of 24 months, reduced from a nominal term of 36 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 |
Probationary periods | 2 months |
Apprentices enter Stage 2 | |
Progression to Stage 3 | Apprentices progress to Stage 3:
|
Exit |
|
Apprenticeships
Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Bridge Construction and Maintenance - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - General - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Pipe Laying - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Plant Operations - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII30815 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Road Construction and Maintenance - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Timber Bridge Construction and Maintenance - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Tunnel Construction - Apprenticeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of apprenticeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Traineeships
Civil Construction - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 16 July 2010 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
School based | RII20715 Certificate II in Civil Construction The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Bituminous Surfacing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 16 July 2010 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII20815 Certificate II in Bituminous Surfacing |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
School based | RII20815 Certificate II in Bituminous Surfacing The term for a school based traineeship will be calculated in months from the date of commencement to 31 December of the HSC year. During this period the school-based trainee must undertake a minimum of 144 days of on-the-job training. |
Probationary period | 2 months |
Civil Construction - Civil Foundations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 17 April 2014 |
Qualification | RII31215 Certificate III in Civil Foundations |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Terms of Traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | 3 months |
Civil Construction - Design - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | 3 months |
Civil Construction - Operations and Management - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualification | |
Terms of Traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Road Marking - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Traffic Management - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 29 February 2016 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualifications | RII30919 Certificate III in Civil Construction |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | Where the nominal term is:
|
Civil Construction - Trenchless Technology - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 16 July 2010 |
Updated | 20 April 2020 |
Qualification | RII31619 Certificate III in Trenchless Technology |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary period | 2 months |
Drilling - Operations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 1 April 2010 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
See part-time apprenticeships and traineeships |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Drilling - Oil/Gas (On Shore) - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 1 April 2010 |
Updated | 18 December 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
See part-time apprenticeships and traineeships |
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Drilling - Well Serving Operations - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 24 January 2014 |
Updated | 18 December 2018 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full time:
|
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Mining - Emergency Response and Rescue - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 1 April 2010 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII30715 Certificate III in Mine Emergency Response and Rescue |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
|
Probationary period | 2 months |
Mining - Exploration - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 1 April 2010 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII30515 Certificate III in Mining Exploration |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
See part-time apprenticeships and traineeships |
Probationary period | 2 months |
Mining - Resource Processing - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 2 December 2011 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII30415 Certificate III in Resource Processing |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
|
Probationary period | 2 months |
Mining - Surface Mining - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 2 December 2011 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualifications |
|
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
|
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Mining - Underground Coal Mining - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 2 December 2011 |
Updated | 11 January 2019 |
Qualifications | |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
|
Probationary periods | Where the nominal term is:
|
Mining - Underground Metalliferous - Traineeship
Vocational Training Order
Date of effect | 2 December 2011 |
Updated | 29 February 2016 |
Qualification | RII30315 Certificate III in Underground Metalliferous Mining |
Terms of traineeship | Full-time:
|
Probationary period | 2 months |