A suite of new learning resources for Weld Australia’s Manufacturing and Engineering (MEM) Training Package has been praised by industry groups, it says.
The 12 welding and fabrication units of competency were developed together with a national consortium of TAFEs over the past two years to produce resources that are engaging and up to date, built with students, teachers and training organisations in mind.
Available completely online and accessible via phone, mobile device or computer, the resources boast a user-friendly interface, diversified delivery methods, and audited and accurate material.
Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden says that a national industry needs national learning resources.
“Whether you’re an apprentice in Kalgoorlie, Ultimo or Davenport, you should have access to the same, high-quality training. Our goal is to help ensure that high-quality welder learning is consistent across the country,” he says.
“Our resources help simplify the learning process for students, teachers and training institutes and—most importantly—place the student at centre of the learning process.”
South Metropolitan TAFE in Fremantle, Western Australia, was the first training organisation to facilitate an official pilot. The feedback received from students and lecturers alike was extremely positive.
Executive Director – Engineering, Transport and Defence at South Metropolitan TAFE Jonathon Maile says being able to link with Weld Australia and other TAFEs improved training outcomes, with a better consistency from a technical perspective Australia-wide.
“It has improved our focus on digitisation and e-learning, and the increased the flexibility of how we deliver,” he says.
“If apprentices miss classes, they can access the resources and catch up a lot more quickly than trying to reschedule another block later on.”
General manager of training services at South Metropolitan TAFE Brenda Micale agreed, saying she had received positive feedback from industry partners.
“The resources have improved our delivery across the fabrication area quite significantly,” she says.
“On our own, we could have developed an adequate suite of materials for the qualification. Through the national collaboration, we got a much higher quality resources…
“It’s great when I go out to Rockingham, the Thornley and Naval Base campuses where fabrication is taught and you can see apprentices engaging with the technology. They’re able to download it onto their mobile phones, they can play the videos, its interactive,” she says.
To find out more, visit weldaustralia.com.au