CIB - 720 Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking - apprenticeships and traineeships

Date of effect
7 November 2016

Updated
29 October 2021

Qualification

PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology (Blow Moulding)

Terms of apprenticeship

Full time:

• 48 months or until relevant competencies are achieved

Probationary period

3 months

Date of effect
7 November 2016

Updated
29 October 2021

Qualification

PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology (Composites)

Terms of apprenticeship

Full time:

• 48 months or until relevant competencies are achieved

Probationary period

3 months

Date of effect
7 November 2016

Updated
29 October 2021

Qualification

PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology (Injection Moulding)

Terms of apprenticeship

Full time:

• 48 months or until relevant competencies are achieved

Probationary period

3 months

Date of effect
7 November 2016

Updated
29 October 2021

Qualification

PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology

Terms of traineeship

Full time:

PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology

• 36 months or until relevant competencies are achieved
• 24 months or until relevant competencies are achieved when the trainee holds PMB30121 Certificate III in Polymer Processing

Part-time:

See part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

Probationary periods

Where the nominal term is:

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

Date of effect
7 November 2016

Updated
29 October 2021

Qualification

PMB30121 Certificate III in Polymer Processing

Terms of traineeship

Full time:

PMB30121 Certificate III in Polymer Processing

• 24 months or until relevant competencies are achieved

Part-time:

See part-time apprenticeships and traineeships

Probationary period

2 months

Apprentices will learn to:

• make a range of articles, such as point of sales display stands, fume cupboards and signs.
• work with sheet plastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate and use plastic welding and bonding techniques
• operate hand and power tools and specialist machines such as line benders and thermoformers
• operate computer controlled routers and various CAD drawing programs (in some companies)

Polymer Technology apprentices can specialise in one of the following four streams:

Injection moulding is a manufacturing process for producing parts from both thermoplastic and thermosetting plastic materials. Material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed and forced into a mould cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mould cavity.

Blow moulding is a manufacturing process by which hollow plastic parts are formed. The blow moulding process begins with melting down the plastic and forming it into a tube-like piece of plastic with a hole in one end in which compressed air can pass through. The plastic is then clamped into a mould and air is pumped into it. The air pressure then pushes the plastic out to match the mould. Once the plastic has cooled and hardened the mould opens up and the part is ejected.

Composites is the manufacture and repair fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites components in a safe and effective manner. Apprentices learn:

• to test composite/FRP materials and products
• identify and rectify product faults and defects and design and manufacture composite plugs and moulds
• major repairs to composite components
• produce composite components using a range of laminating procedures
• interpret drawings to determine fibre type and resin systems.

Trainees work in:

• design and manufacture of products made from polymers, a group of materials made up of plastics, rubber, adhesives, resins and fibres
• optimisation of process systems and how to conduct trials on products and processes.

Trainees work in production:

• controlling the operation of machinery which manufactures or finishes plastic, rubber or cablemaking products by injection moulding, blow moulding, hand fabrication, extrusion, hand lay-up, calendering and other processes
• contributing to the development of products or processes
• setting up equipment for continuous production
• performing computations improving cost factors in work practices
• operating computer-aided design (cad) systems to produce basic drawing elements
• applying basic economic and ergonomic concepts to engineering designs and applications
• performing basic statistical quality control

The PMBr2.0 Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking Training Package includes the following qualifications that support apprenticeship and traineeship pathways:

One qualification supports four apprenticeship pathways:

• PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology

Two qualifications support traineeship pathways:

• PMB30121 Certificate III in Polymer Processing
• PMB40121 - Certificate IV in Polymer Technology

Entry requirements*

Please note there are entry requirements prescribed on Training.gov.au.

On successful completion of the relevant qualification:

• parties may apply to the Commissioner for Vocational Training for completion of the apprenticeship and traineeship prior to the nominal completion date of the training contract or;
• 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 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 the appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Apprentices and trainees may be employed under the following awards:

• Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020
• Supported Employment Services Award 2020
• Vehicle Repair, Services and Retail 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.

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

A list of training organisations 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 providers 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 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 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.