From Training to Trade: Engineering Pathways
Participants learned hands-on engineering skills as part of their Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees recently concluded the training phase of its 2024 Engineering Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in Newcastle and Western Sydney.
The initiative, run in collaboration with the InTech Institute of Technology and TAFE NSW, and funded by the NSW Department of Education, aims to equip participants with essential engineering skills and knowledge through practical training and work experience.
The programs held in Newcastle and Western Sydney offered specialised training tailored to different competency levels. In Newcastle, the partnership with TAFE NSW focused on delivering Certificate II in Engineering, while the Western Sydney program, in collaboration with the Intech Institute of Technology, provided training for Certificate III in Engineering.
Participants across both locations engaged in hands-on mini projects, honing their skills in basic engineering drawing, tool usage, machinery operation, and foundational welding techniques.
Designed to enhance employability, the Pre-Apprenticeship Programs not only provided technical training but also included crucial work experience and employer site visits.
"These programs have significantly enhanced the skills and confidence of participants, helping them pinpoint the specific areas of engineering they wish to pursue in their apprenticeships or future trade careers," said Raleigh Wallace, MIGAS National Placements and Programs Manager.
Engineering specialisations include mechanical trade roles such as a Mechanical Fitter Apprenticeship and Fitter and Turner Apprenticeship, and fabrication trade roles like a Boilermaker Apprenticeship and Sheetmetal Apprenticeship.
The MIGAS team with the group of participants in the Engineering Pre-Apprenticeship Program held in Newcastle.
The success of the programs is evident as a number of participants have already secured apprenticeships, with some already beginning their new roles. Others continue to gain experience through additional work placements and interviews for trade engineering apprenticeship opportunities.
Looking ahead, MIGAS is planning to expand its pre-apprenticeship programs and focus on different trade areas throughout its national areas of operation in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and WA.
The initiative particularly focuses on supporting unemployed individuals, women, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, encouraging their participation in non-traditional trade sectors through structured apprenticeship pathways.
For more information or to participate in the next MIGAS engineering or other trade area Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, please contact us at programs@migas.com.au.