Kangan Institute proud to announce new Composites Engineering Apprenticeship launching this year

On Tuesday February 5th 2013, Kangan Institute proudly launched the groundbreaking new Certificate III in Engineering (Composites Trade) which is to commence in March 2013. The Institute is very excited to be launching this program, which is only one of two new apprenticeships to be launched within the industry in many years and has been five years in the making (with approvals required from both federal and state governments). Attendees at the composites apprenticeship launch each provided with launch booklets containing information about this exciting new program. This composite apprenticeship will be jointly run by our Aviation/Engineering and Centre for Competitive Operations (CCO) departments, ensuring apprentices will be educated by our industry - leading expert trainers. Kerryn Caulfield, CEO of Composites Australia, addressing attendees at the launch Although this qualification sits within the metal and engineering Training Package, it covers the skills and knowledge required to work with composites materials and processes. Composites are finding their way into most industry sectors as an alternative material to traditional materials like metal, timber and other plastics. Kerryn Caulfield, CEO of Composites Australia (and strong advocate for this program) was extremely excited to be seeing the long-awaited launch of the program. "In the past we've done a lot of training in composites, but it's never been accredited training," she said. "So we're very happy to finally have a nationally accredited course that will support the industry and future growth within the sector in this country." Learning will take place through an integrated combination of on and off-the-job training. There is also opportunity to have credits applied via our Skills Recognition process (taking your current experience into account). Phillip Bovis, teacher at CCO, explaining the components of training program to attendees. Phillip Bovis, expert trainer running this program at Kangan Institute's Centre for Competitive Operations (CCO) department, presented at the launch and explained the importance of apprenticeships to the industry as well as the specific training that will be undertaken as part of the Certificate III in Engineering (Composites Trade) in partnership with the customised needs of each individual apprentice and their employer. "We'll be refining the course over time and will work with students and the employer to meet their needs," he said. "We'll be upgrading our facilities to ensure the latest technologies used today in the composites sector will be covered as part of this program." Carl Walsh, Manager of Apprenticeships & Traineeships HESG, explaining the apprenticeship process. Graduates of this qualification may work in a composites manufacturing or repair organisation, or in an automotive, aviation, civil construction, general manufacturing, marine or other organisation as a composites specialist.