GOTAFE (Northern Victoria Institute of TAFE)
4 years
Develop practical mechanical trade skills through a 4-year apprenticeship covering fitting, assembly, machining, welding and maintenance of mechanical equipment. Ideal for apprentices seeking industry-recognised qualification in mechanical trades.
Applicants must complete a Basic Key Skills Builder (BKSB) online test to demonstrate required literacy and numeracy levels. A Pre-training Review interview is required to ensure the course suits your needs and aspirations. Prospective apprentices must apply through an Apprenticeship Network Provider with their employer to organise an apprenticeship contract before course application. Physical demands include bending, lifting and manual handling. Students must have a laptop/computer with internet access, safety boots, eye protection, ear defenders and cotton-based workwear.
Core units (12 units, 33 points) cover essential foundational knowledge: interpreting technical drawings, manual handling, engineering measurements, computations, workplace safety, work planning, communication, computing technology, on-the-job training provision, hand tools, power tools and environmental sustainability. Elective units (23 units, 63 points) provide specialised mechanical trade skills including mechanical cutting, manual and thermal cutting, welding (manual metal arc, gas tungsten arc, gas metal arc), general and complex machining, lathe operations, milling, grinding, computer-controlled machines, precision measurement and fitting, bearing installation and removal, mechanical drive maintenance, machine levelling and alignment, pneumatic systems, and component assembly/disassembly.
GOTAFE is a registered training organisation (RTO 3094) delivering nationally accredited qualifications with government funding support. The institute offers flexible apprenticeship pathways with block release delivery, allowing students to balance on-the-job training with structured classroom learning. Comprehensive student support services including learning support, counselling, disability support and career guidance ensure student success throughout the program.
Graduates can pursue careers as fitters and machinists, mechanical tradespeople, or maintenance fitters across metal, engineering and manufacturing industries. Further study pathways include Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119) and Diploma of Engineering - Advanced Trade (MEM50119) for career progression into supervisory or advanced technical roles.
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