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The Metal and Engineering VET Curriculum Framework

The Metal and Engineering Framework, as well as being a subject in the Higher School Certificate, develops competencies that count towards national qualifications under the Metal and Engineering National Training Package. The Metal and Engineering National Training Package specifies how qualifications in the metal and engineering industry are to be achieved and how they relate to industrial award levels, that is, the pay levels, for jobs in the Metal and Engineering industry.

So, competencies achieved in the Metal and Engineering Framework count towards national qualifications in which students may subsequently enrol. Students can also achieve a nationally recognised Certificate I or Certificate II under the framework. The table below shows the qualifications available under the national training package and how they relate to the industrial award levels in the industry.

All qualifications under the training package are Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications. The Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) covers many areas of training.

Industrial Award Level	Competency Points	AQF Level	Qualification Title
C1
C2
C3		AQF 6	Advanced Diploma of Engineering
C4
C5	Year12 + 80pts or AQF 3 + 60pts	AQF 5	Diploma of Engineering
C6
C7	132pts	AQF 4	Certificate IV in Engineering - Higher Engineering Trade
C8
C9	Year12 + 40pts or AQF 3 + 12pts	AQF 3	Certificate III in Engineering (Technician)
C10	96 pts	AQF 3	Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems	Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade	Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade	Certificate III in Engineering - Electrical / Electronic Trade
C11	64 pts	AQF 2	Certificate II in Engineering - Production Technology
C12	32 pts	AQF 2	Certificate II in Engineering - Production
C13	16 pts	AQF 1	Certificate I in Engineering
C14			On the Job Training

Metal and Engineering VET Framework Courses

There are five courses under the Metal and Engineering VET framework. Each of these has a different duration, a different AQF outcome and a different requirement with respect to the Competency Standards Units:

Metal and Engineering (120 indicative hours). Successful students will achieve 12 competency points and partial completion of the Certificate I in Engineering.
Metal and Engineering (180 indicative hours). Successful students will achieve 18 competency points and completion of the Certificate I in Engineering.
Metal and Engineering (240 indicative hours). Successful students will achieve 24 competency points and completion of the Certificate I in Engineering.
Metal and Engineering Extension – Specialist Studies (60 Indicative Hours). Successful students will achieve 30 competency points and completion of the Certificate I in Engineering.
Metal and Engineering Extension – Specialist Studies (120 Indicative Hours). Successful students will achieve 36 competency points and completion of the Certificate II in Engineering - Production.

To view a list of the units of competency from the Training Package that are available in the Framework Courses click on Units of Competency.

Work placement

Students must be placed in a suitable workplace for periods depending on the course they are enrolled in, as shown below:

120 hours course	38 hours
180 hours course	53.2 hours
240 hours course	76 hours
60 hours extension course	15.2 hours additional
120 hours extension course	38 hours additional

The work placement must be organised by the RTO delivering the framework course.

HSC Examination

Students undertaking the 240 hour course and who wish to obtain a University Admission Index (UAI) score for purposes of gaining entry to university must undertake a two hour written examination which is scheduled as part of the HSC examination timetable and which is set by the NSW Board of Studies.This examination covers the following Units of Competency only:

Industry InductionMEM1.1FA Undertake interactive workplace communicationMEM1.2FA Apply principles of O H & S in work environmentMEM1.3FA Apply quality proceduresMEM1.4FA Plan to undertake a routine taskMEM2.1C12A Apply quality systemsMEM2.5C11A Measure with graduated devicesMEM2.8C10A Perform computationsMEM9.2AA Interpret technical drawingMEM18.1AA Use hand tools
MEM18.2AA Use power tools/hand held operations

A sample of the HSC examination and the specification for the examination are available on the Board of Studies web-site.

Students who do not wish to credit the result in the framework course to their UAI (for example, if they do not aspire to enter university) need not undertake the examination, although they can elect to do so.

The paper will consist of THREE sections.

Section I (15 marks)

There will be 15 multiple-choice questions.• All questions in this section are compulsory.
All questions are of equal value.

Section II (35 marks)

The questions in this section are short response items, in parts.• All questions in this section are compulsory.
Question parts will range in value.

Section III (30 marks)

The questions in this section are extended response items.• Students must attempt TWO questions.
All questions are of equal value.

A specimen paper for the examination is available on the Board of Studies web site.

Who can I contact for more career information? For further advice related to the Metal and Engineering Training Package you could contact:-

Engineering Skills Centre at Sydney Institute, Ultimo (TAFE NSW)
Manufacturing and Engineering Division, TAFE NSW
Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Industry Training Advisory Body
ACTU (Australian Council Of Trade Unions)