TAFE qualifications achieve employment outcomes

According to the latest statistics released by the National Centre for Vocational Educational Research, which surveys all students every year to ascertain key outcomes for students, the percentage of Wodonga TAFE students who are employed after graduating from training is 85.7%. This is well above the TAFE Victoria average of 79.3%. These figures are for graduates of accredited qualifications – that is certificates I to IV and diplomas. These qualifications should be differentiated from other courses provided by TAFEs, which may be unaccredited certificate courses designed primarily as short courses for people to develop their interest or develop further skills for workplace and employment reasons, or certificate courses that provide ‘tickets’ or licenses to carry out certain functions, e.g. welding or vehicle operator.

Employers, particularly in trades areas such as metal fabrication and engineering, require TAFE qualified tradesmen who have completed, for example, their Certificate III over three-four years. This is the minimum time period it takes to develop and understand the techniques required to work safely and effectively in this type of trade. Unaccredited certificate short courses may provide opportunities for people with limited skills and who are new to the industry to become employed at ‘entry level’.

Brendan Tenison-Woods, Manager of Manufacturing at Wodonga TAFE said, “In areas of skills shortages, such as in the engineering sector, some employers will give enthusiastic people with foundation skills a start – but they usually have to be prepared to start at an appropriate level in the organisation commensurate with their skills level.”

“Our policy is to employ skilled trades personnel, these persons having served an apprenticeship through the TAFE system, have the benefit of four years experience in their trade as well as basic knowledge of OH&S.  Short term courses tend to limit skill level and value to the business and our clients”, Manager of J.C. Butko Engineering, Mr John McRae said.

“There is no doubt that entering a trades area is difficult for mature-aged people as apprentice wages are low and it may be difficult for an adult to support a family and lifestyle on these types of wages,” Mr Tenison-Woods said.

Wayne Clarke, owner of MacFab Engineering, agrees with this. However, he maintains from a business point of view that new employees, including newly graduated tradesmen, have to be prepared to learn the trade and be prepared to be paid what they are worth to the business in terms of productivity.

“There are a lot of engineering firms in Albury Wodonga and each firm tends to have their core group of highly capable tradesmen while bringing newly trained tradesmen up through the ranks,” Mr Clarke said. “Until they develop their skills and knowledge through experience on the workshop floor, tradesmen are usually paid award wages. However, when they become highly skilled employees, wages become negotiable.”

While it is clear that TAFE qualifications assist people in getting interviews and ultimately employment by demonstrating to the prospective employer that they are competent in the units covered by the qualification, there are, of course, a range of considerations that also must be taken into account regarding the employability and suitability of people.

In addition, there is that age-old potential barrier for new graduates entering the workforce as employers often habitually seek experience on top of qualifications. However, those industries that are definitely experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies, such as truck driving and metal fabrication, recognise that they need to assist in meeting that need for experience. They generally realise that it is of course it is very difficult for graduates to obtain experience without being employed and they need to contribute to building their collective workforces.

According to Steven Dumesny, Acting Manager of Wodonga TAFE’s National Industrial Training Centre, “Many of our heavy transport clients, for example, provide experience for newly licensed truck drivers by giving them work in the yard with the forklift, as well as providing them with opportunities to participate in trips as a co-driver where they are mentored by a more experienced driver on the job until they are deemed to be capable of managing the rig and the load on their own. For some new employees, this could be a matter of weeks until they have the confidence of the employer to manage the rig on their own. For others it could be longer.”

“It is understandable that trucking and other big equipment businesses are careful with placing skilled and experienced people in charge of their equipment. Not only is this equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, but there is also a safety issue involved with operating this equipment”, he added. “It is a matter of first gaining the skills through formal training, then demonstrating your willingness to learn and gain experience with an employer. Most employers are looking for the right attitude. Many are realising that you hire for attitude and train for skills if necessary.”

Employers in industries such as engineering, transport and civil construction believe that there is a skills shortage in terms of supply of fully qualified and experienced tradesmen. However, potential employees and young apprentices need to understand that attitude and commitment are vital elements to being employable and ultimately being retained as a valued employee in any business.

For more information and interview and photo/footage images please contact Felicity Williams, Marketing Manager at Wodonga TAFE on 02 6055 6923.

Both John McRae and Wayne Clarke are prepared to provide further comment.