CIB - 657 Laboratory Operations - traineeships

Date of effect
21 May 2010

Updated
24 November 2023

Qualifications

MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology*

MSL60122 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations*

Terms of traineeships:

Full time:

MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

• 24 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved

MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

• 36 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved
• 12 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the trainee holds MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology

• 48 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the trainee meets the Entry Requirements

MSL60122 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

• 24 months or until the relevant competencies are achieved where the trainee meets the Entry Requirements

Part-time:

See nominal terms and hours for part-time traineeships

School-based

MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

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 120 days of on-the-job training.

Probationary periods

Where the nominal term is:

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

Certificate III in Laboratory Skills- trainees may learn to perform a limited range of laboratory operations across all industry sectors and this is the entry level required for laboratory personnel across all industry sectors. They may be employed as laboratory technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.

Laboratory technicians perform straightforward laboratory work. They follow set procedures and recipes and apply well developed technical skills and basic scientific knowledge. They generally work inside a laboratory but may also perform technical tasks in the field or within production plants. They may also perform a range of laboratory maintenance and office tasks. Most of their work involves a predictable flow of parallel or similar tasks within one scientific discipline. Laboratory technicians: perform straightforward technical tasks to prepare and test samples using relevant procedures, Australian Standards, and readily available advice. These tasks generally require close attention to detail and to the accuracy and precision of measurements. They may require the use of manual or semi-automated techniques to:

• operate test equipment and instruments and make limited adjustments to their controls
• process and record data and recognise trends and out of control conditions
• solve predictable problems using clear information or known solutions. Where alternatives exist, they are limited and apparent
• work under close and regular supervision, although they may have autonomy for specific tasks and responsibility for their own outputs
• take decisions within defined limits of responsibility
• work as part of a team.

Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques - trainees will learn the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of laboratory techniques which may be manual, semi-automated or fully automated. Laboratory work covers a variety of industry sectors and trainees may be employed as technical assistants, technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.

Trainees skillsets:

• working according to established procedures in a structured environment
• collecting and preparing samples in a laboratory
• conducting a wide range of basic tests and some specialised tests
• defining and solving problems and adjusting formulations and production mixes in a collaborate work group
• generally trainees work in a team and may have responsibility for their own work outputs
• work under the direction and regular supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel.

Diploma of Laboratory Technology - trainees will learn skills and knowledge required to apply a range of laboratory technologies to conduct scientific-technical tests using specialist technical knowledge.

Trainee skillsets:

• conduct a wide range of routine and complex, specialised tests
• use instrumentation with a wide range of operating variables.
• subject matter expert communication skills
• liaise with suppliers to troubleshoot product non-conformance
• demonstrate methodologies to others
• train team members to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.
• Workers contribute to the modification of standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• plan schedules and monitoring resources in their work area
• work under the direction and regular supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel.

Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations - trainees will learn the skills and knowledge required to supervise laboratory operations within a work area or project team and may be employed as laboratory supervisors, senior technical officers, and similar personnel.

Senior technicians or laboratory supervisors are generally responsible for the planning, allocation of tasks, coordination, quality assurance, recording and reporting of laboratory outputs within their section. This requires significant judgement about work sequences, and choice of appropriate technology and procedures to ensure that products and services meet customer expectations and are provided safely and efficiently in keeping with the enterprise business plan. Under broad direction from scientists/medical staff/engineers, the senior technician/supervisor accepts responsibility for the day-to-day operation of his/her work/functional area. They are often responsible for the effective implementation of operational policies and the technical training of personnel in their work area. They also contribute significantly to the development of these policies through the application of specialised technical knowledge.

The work of laboratory supervisors involves frequent peak periods, multiple and competing demands and frequent interruptions. Immediate decisions are often required. They must be adaptable to deal with the demands brought about by several causes. For example:

• a range of demanding clients, suppliers, or contractors
• changes in technology
• regularly changing priorities.

In the course of their normal work, they:

• plan, allocate and monitor resources for their work area and are responsible for their work group's outputs
• apply in-depth technical knowledge and skills to deliver the variety of products and services associated with the work area
• explain complex instructions and procedures to others
• define and solve complex problems by investigating, developing, and testing alternatives in response to vague or ill-defined information that is not readily accessible and requires selective analysis
• make significant contributions to the development of technical and operational policy and procedures within a function or work area
• liaise with outside organisations, customers, suppliers, and contractors on technical matters
• provide technical information to internal and external customers
• often provide workplace training and assessment
• implement, maintain, and promote work health and safety (WHS), quality and other compliance requirements and conduct audits
• work under the general direction of laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel.

MSLr4.0 Laboratory Operations Training Package includes the following qualifications that support traineeship pathways:

• MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills
• MSL40122 Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
• MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology*
• MSL60122 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations*

* Entry Requirements

MSL50122 Diploma of Laboratory Technology*

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:

• hold a Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

       OR

• hold a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline

       OR

• can provide evidence of technical laboratory skills, knowledge and employment experience.

MSL60122 Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations*

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who:

• hold a Diploma of Laboratory Technology

     OR

• hold a Diploma or higher-level qualification in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) discipline

     OR

• can provide evidence of technical laboratory and managerial or supervisory skills, knowledge and employment experience.

On successful completion of the relevant qualification

• parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship/traineeship prior to the nominal completion date of the training contract 
• Training Services 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.

Download a Request for Competency Based Completion form.

Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish a 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.

Trainees may be employed under the following Awards:

• Hydrocarbons Industry (Upstream) Award 2020
• Cement, Lime and Quarrying Award 2020
• Oil Refining and Manufacturing Award 2020
• Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020

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 qualification is suitable for delivery in schools:

• MSL30122 Certificate III in Laboratory Skills

For qualifications available for delivery in schools, click here. 

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

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

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

When developing training plans, registered training organisations should ensure that the training program satisfies the qualification packaging requirements and, at the same time, reflects the nature of the business. Training plans should be customised so that the workplace activities support and align with the qualification units of competency.

On 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.

Training Services and Australian Skills Quality Authority(ASQA) transition arrangements are aligned and applied retrospectively from 1 September 2015.

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 centre of the NSW Department of Education.