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Working in Hot Environments

OUR RESOURCES

Working in Hot Environments

Tradesperson working on a piece of metal, generating sparks in a hot environment, demonstrating expertise in metal fabrication and industrial trades

Our body has a limit to maintaining a healthy body temperature. 

Excessive heat exposure can cause illnesses due to the inability of the body to maintain a tolerable and healthy body temperature. These illnesses can be heat exhaustion, heat cramps, dehydration, heatstroke, and fainting. 

Symptoms for heat-related conditions include dizziness, sweating, visual disturbances, fainting, nausea, and muscle cramps.

Risk management means ensuring we have robust processes in place to make sure we’re following our safety and healthy hot work environment policies.

The Risk Management Process in Hot Workplaces

Identifying Hazards

Hazard identification includes:

  • Getting an overview of the workflow
  • Reviewing the types of machinery and equipment, and
  • Defining the intensity of work to carry out

When we’re identifying hazards, we’re looking for the possibility of harm and danger to us or our workmates. It even includes defining temperatures in the work environment, the duration of the work, and the impact on workers. 

It also involves pointing out any problems with heat encountered by the workers. 

Moreover, our managers need to review incident and injury records to identify ways to minimise future risk.

Assessing Risks

Risk assessment is understanding the degree of harm, its nature, and the probability of risk  happening. It involves the identification of the related control measures and the urgency of the actions needed. Should you invest in a machine that has a better temperature efficiency? Does that gas boiler located beside the worker pose any danger? Is there any machine that can carry out the work instead of workers?

Controlling Risks

Risk control is the implementation of the most effective measures that are both reasonably practical yet effective in the long term. The objective of the risk controls is to minimize and eliminate the hazards.

One example is shifting the work hours to nighttime when the temperature is more relaxed and using HVAC units to manage the temperature in the workplace. Another is to isolate workers from various machinery or swapping physical work to a machine. Similarly, the provision of personal protective equipment is necessary to reduce risks and better eliminate the hazards.  

How to identify if a worker is acclimated to heat?

Our body is adaptable to different temperatures, especially when exposed many times. When a worker is acclimatised to heat, they may begin to sweat more and have more ability to regulate body temperature. But, this is high risk because indicators of the body being acclimatised to heat vary from person to person.  

In risk management, introducing an acclimatisation program to help workers manage work in hot environments is another way to reduce risk of exposure. 

What should workers do if the work is unsafe due to the heat?

When workers have concerns about an unsafe workplace due to heat, they have every right to cease or refuse to perform the job. It is a fundamental human right to protect ourselves from immediate and imminent hazards caused by heat exposure or any other factor.

But, management can implement a policy regarding workers with reasonable concern about heat exposure and unsafe work environments, such as giving immediate notice to the management should they have ceased work.  

What is the maximum temperature where workers are required to stop work?

Work health and safety laws do not specifically identify a maximum temperature required to stop work. The temperature alone can not be the sole indicator of a hazardous workplace. It can be affected by different factors such as duration and intensity of work, humidity, and a worker’s physical condition.

Yet, work health and safety laws require you to manage risk in the heat by minimising and eliminating hazards. You are required to preserve life by maintaining a workplace with utmost health and safety to workers.

How to handle working in a hot workplace?

When handling work safety in a hot environment, it is crucial to perform reasonable judgment and prioritize the safety of workers. There may be no specific temperatures because other essential factors in the hot workplace make it unsafe for workers. The best thing to do is to have practical and reasonable judgment if the workplace is still safe for work. Otherwise, it is up to all of us to implement the necessary measures to minimize and eliminate workplace hazards.

Is an Engineer a Tradie?

OUR RESOURCES

Is an Engineer a Tradie?

Engineer in a hard hat and vest standing in front of a ship at the dock, highlighting expertise in maritime engineering and port operations
There are engineers, there are tradies, and then there are engineering tradies.

Confusing? We thought so! So we decided to lay it all out and answer the question, is an engineer a tradie?

Let’s dive in.

What’s the difference between an engineer and an engineering tradie?

An engineer isn’t a tradie but a tradie can be an engineer. In fact, there are various kinds of engineers and a tradesperson is, well, a tradie that’s oozing with skills. Let’s look at the similarities and differences between an engineer and an engineering tradesperson:

    • Both offer a wide variety of job opportunities – whether you want to do the blueprints or you love getting your hands dirty, pursuing engineering or engineering trades is a great pathway for success.
    • Working intensely with your hands for hundreds of hours a year is also a plus for both career choices as you are constantly exposed to new and challenging opportunities.
    • Great pay! Need we say more?
    • Although both have tangible results, engineers are required to think about theoretical matters as well as practical ones, while tradespeople focus on the process and application of it.
    • Engineers have to graduate from a university, whereas tradespeople will do an apprenticeship and go to a tertiary trades collage instead. 
    • The career path of an engineering graduate is fixed; which means, they can become masters of their crafts. On the other hand, engineering tradies can concentrate on a number of fields depending on where their interests head as they progress through their career.

Which One’s for You?

It’s amazing to know that both are perfectly crafted professions mustered for every endeavor you chose to take, both require physical strength and stamina.

A lot of tradies will start out their apprenticeship and find their interests move towards an engineering trade. This means they want to use their skills to build, fabricate or maintain fixed or mobile equipment, machines, structures or plant.

When a tradie has been working as a trades assistant for long enough, they might qualify for a specific qualification in their engineering trade of choice. A lot of tradies might also like to diversify their qualifications. In other words, they will start out with a Fabrication Trade Boilermaking qualification and decide they want a second qualification in Fabrication Trade Sheet Metal Working, for example.

The good news is, Trade Skills Australia offers a diverse selection of skills assessment and recognition services for qualifications in fabrication and mechanical engineering through RPL. From boilermaking to welding to even becoming a certified mobile plant mechanic, you name it.

Let’s take a look at specific engineering trades qualifications.

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking) – Boilermakers typically assemble, install, and repair boilers, closed vats, and other large vessels or containers that hold liquids and gases. 

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Welding) – Welders, also known as structural steel and welding trades workers, work with iron and steel. They cut, shape, join, and solder metals together for projects both large and small. They may also repair large structures like ships or buildings or smaller products like watches or furniture.

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Sheet Metal Working) – Their job involves using specifications and equipment like hammers, grinders and torches to shape the metal and then assembling it through welding and bolting.

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (Surface Finishing) – This qualification covers chemical and mechanical surface preparation, including abrasive blasting to Australian Standard 1627 and protective coating application and inspection to Australian Standard 3894.

Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade (General) – This qualification covers a broad skill set for a candidate’s that consider themselves to be a “jack of all trades” but do not specialise in a specific skill set within their fabrication environment.

Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Fitting) – This qualification is for Candidates that typically work in manufacturing or engineering plants where they manufacture and install mechanical machinery and equipment, as well as maintaining and keeping existing equipment operational. Mechanical Fitters work in such areas as oil and gas, manufacturing, marine, mining and maintenance.

Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (Machining) – A machining specialist studies drawings and specifications to determine suitable material, method, sequence of operations and machine settings on a variety of material shaping machines. They also fit fabricated components into assemblies, use precision measuring equipment to check for accuracy and tolerances, shape cutting tools and perform maintenance tasks on the machines.

Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade (General) – This qualification covers a broad skill set for a candidate’s that consider themselves to be a “jack of all trades” but do not specialise in a specific skill set within their mechanical engineering environment.

Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic – The skills associated with this qualification are intended to apply to a wide range of trade work including manufacturing, assembly and commissioning of mobile and stationary plant, servicing, diagnosis and rectification of faults, condition monitoring and preventative maintenance.

Certificate IV in Engineering – This qualification is also suitable for Candidates that have held a leadership role within the metal, engineering, manufacturing, and associated industries.

There is quite a resemblance between engineering and engineering trade. However, studying its major differences would help you choose the right career. As mentioned earlier, engineers are required to go to a university, pick their engineering pathways and complete their study with a degree, while engineer tradespeople follow their career pathway through an apprenticeship.

Engineers tend to focus on the theoretical side of the job, while engineer tradespeople focus on the application and the practical side of the job. Engineers and engineering tradespeople are highly valued for the work they do.

We now know the similarities and differences between the two, and its long-term career pathways. Trade Skills Australia’s highest objective is to use skills recognition and assessment to assist trades people and international engineering tradies to become more employablein Australia..

Help us help you. Take the next step towards a full qualification.

Contact us today to learn more about the prior learning assessment process and the potential to take your work to the next level.

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualification you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

Advantages and Disadvantages of FIFO Work

OUR RESOURCES

Advantages and Disadvantages of FIFO Work

A silhouette of a worker in a hard hat holding a torch with a crane in the background

Ever wondered if FIFO work is for you? We’ve been doing our research and have come up with 6 advantages and disadvantages of FIFO work in Australia. If you’ve ever wondered if FIFO work is the step in your career you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive in!

What FIFO is like in Australia

Have you ever heard of FIFO? Nope, it’s not a new alien spaceship that landed on planet Earth, nor the new found friend of Nemo (the fish). It’s actually more than that. 

To those who are new in this field, FIFO simply means “Fly In, Fly Out.” FIFO jobs are those which involve employees being flown to their workplace for the duration of a contract before being flown back to a preferred location, and is one of the most popular working arrangements chosen by young trades professionals in Australia. FIFO rosters come in many different shapes and sizes, one example might be a 7-14 day roster of 12-hour shifts, followed by the same duration for rest. Some examples are: tradesperson, hospitality roles, nurses, driller, mechanic, and mining – the most in demand of all.

Did you know that one Western Australia leads the world when it comes to the use of FIFO mine employees? The Australian State currently has between 6,000 and 7,000 interstate FIFO workers employed in its massive mining sector. 

There are approximately 60,000 FIFO workers in Australia and this is fuelled by the large resource sector in the country. With a strong demand for our exports, many mining companies require a huge workforce in remote areas. In the country, because most FIFO work is done in the mines, the biggest opportunities are in Western Australia. While there are many jobs in Perth, you can also find work on the other side of the country. Islands like the Whitsundays have a huge demand for FIFO workers, especially in the hospitality sector. Outside of mining, luxurious resorts are always on the lookout for kitchen staff who can fly in, fly out.

Are you up for a FIFO arrangement?

Skilled trades require special skills, abilities, knowledge, and is a hands-on job. Although it is the most in demand employer-employee arrangement in most countries, FIFO has a set of requirements that go outside the normal 9-5. In fact, Trade Skills Australia offer skills assessment and recognition services for qualifications in fabrication and mechanical engineering such as: Certificate in Engineering Fabrication Trade – in boilermaking, sheet metal working, welding, surface finishing, and many more. If you’re a skilled worker but are still not qualified, this is the best place to start as Trade Skills Australia is the best RPL provider in Australia to get you qualified to enter the FIFO workforce fast.

The Pros and Cons of FIFO Work

Just like any other job, FIFO has its own share of manageable to difficult expectations. For example, one hard truth is FIFO work considerably diminishes your social life as you work about 84 hours a week and are, obviously, away from your family and friends. We’ve come up with six  advantages and disadvantages of being a FIFO worker that will help anyone considering the FIFO life:

Advantages being a FIFO worker

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Tempting generous compensation -

the FIFO experience is lucrative and rewarding as it not only provides your personal salary, but also your personal expenses like travel, accommodation, and more.

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Consistent rotation system -

if you work 6 days straight, you’ll typically get 6 days straight of rest after. This method has been the very gist of FIFO to keep the work-life balance an employee deserves.
\

Freedom and flexibility in your work location –

you can live where you choose. Mining companies have been considerate to both current and potential FIFO workers by willingly allowing them to choose from a wide-range of locations. Bottomline is, working FIFO means that even if you change mining jobs, you probably won’t have to relocate your family or move away from home. If you’re a nature lover, then this is perfect for you!
\

There’s a distinction between work and home –

balance, in terms of time, is one of the best assets in the FIFO community. It recognizes the value of your time for your family and friends. They can even extend it for you!
\

Growth is essential to anyone’s career path –

as a FIFO worker, this will be lavishly offered to you as bigger opportunities are possible. Once you’ve proved yourself, there is the potential to move into another job or area. If it’s knowledge and career development you’re after, the mining industry is a great place to seek it out.
\

The work environment and facilities are generally well planned –

depending on your company’s location, most FIFO sites are equipped with their own gyms, basketball courts, swimming pools, and internet connections. Yup, you’ve read that right. This is to provide accessible comfort to all workers – for FREE.

Disadvantages being a FIFO worker

\

Shift hours can be super long –

as long as 12 hours straight and sometimes, even more. Given its strategic and challenging locations, FIFO work could be exhaustingly demanding. This could be the most daunting challenge one can face when venturing in this industry. Add night shift into the mix and fatigue becomes a huge factor.
\

The long distance relationship

between friends and family could leave great emotional implications. On top of that, when a FIFO worker comes home they are often very tired for the first few days so they don’t often have the energy for their social life. If they’re flying home from a night shift, their exhaustion levels are considerably higher.
\

Mental health at play –

with burnout and sleep deprivation due to the long hours of work plus the inaccessible family and friends, feeling isolated and depressed is not uncommon for FIFO workers. Since the work environment has its fixed routine, the repetitive adaptation could lead to psychological distress.
\

Most sites are remote,

so it is expected that FIFO workers are more exposed to harsh environments such as: extreme temperatures, dust, pests and harsh terrains.
\

Inconsistency in body clock

adaptation is very tiring, but necessary. Besides adapting to the work shifts, a FIFO worker also needs to adjust to the life and work set up.
\

As mentioned before, social life is technically impossible for a FIFO worker’s plate. Aside from the distance, the long hours makes it impossible to organize or even attend social events.

Where to start for getting FIFO work in Australia

If you’ve finally decided that you want to give this a go, one way is to apply to work in the Shutdown environment.

Another way is to start in general services and work your way up to your desired qualification level.

Another way is to simply get qualified through RPL and then apply for the job you’re qualified to do.

You can also enter the FIFO workforce through apprenticeships, but if you’ve been a trade assistant for 5+ years you can contact TSA about getting qualified so you can get straight to the role you’re meant to have.

Go to trade shows and expos and talk to the people in the stalls. Get to know who’s in HR or in the department you want to work for and build a relationship with them.

Research, figure out which company you want to work for and get really familiar with their values and business goals. The better you understand these, the more chance you have of landing a job.

Bottomline

There is no such thing as a perfect job. Venturing into “FIFO life” has its own pros and cons, but if you’re willing to be away from home, then you could easily manage and balance strong relationships with your family and loved ones. As we put it, it will be your home away from home. So, before you commit, make sure you’re prepared for what your new home will look like.

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualification you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

4 Reasons Why we’re one of the Best RPL Provides in Australia: TRADE SKILLS AUSTRALIA

OUR RESOURCES

4 Reasons Why we’re one of the Best RPL Provides in Australia: TRADE SKILLS AUSTRALIA

Worker in an orange vest stands in front of a factory, ready to carry out his duties, highlighting industrial work and safety practices

Trade Skills Australia is the ONLY company in Australia that is 100% dedicated to helping skilled trades workers get the qualifications they need via RPL.

While there are some companies that offer similar services, we don’t outsource any part of the RPL process because we are a Registered Training Organisation, we don’t need to outsource.

We use the RPL process so that trades workers who have been in the industry for over 5 years can get the qualifications they need for the skills they have!

Ever wondered what makes Trade Skills Australia one of the highest rated RPL providers in Australia?

Let’s get into it! 

We are NOT brokers

Many of our competitors are brokers, meaning they assist their clients in obtaining a qualification from their network of RTO’s, but they don’t provide that service themselves. 
Trade Skills Australia is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), meaning that we provide the entire service, not just referring you to the right people (we are the right people!).

The person you speak to on day one will be the person guiding you through the entire experience, and if our reviews are anything to go by, we do a top notch job of it. 

We stay on top of current qualifications

Our team is constantly doing research and ensuring that all of the qualifications we provide are current, and nationally recognised.

We would never let someone use their hard earned money trying to get a qualification that is the wrong qualification, no longer current or useful to them.

You never have to worry about going through the process only to find you have a useless qualification you can’t do anything with.

We have Australia’s largest network of international liaisons

We liaise directly with organisations all over the world to help qualified trades people from other countries get the equivalent qualification in Australia.

You can view our full network of liaisons on our website, but we liaise with organisations in Ghana, Canada, The Caribbean and Germany, just to name a few. 

If you need to get your current international qualification recognised in Australia, we are the team to help you do it!

Don’t just take our word for it!

We have a huge collection of positive reviews from our network of previous clients (38, 5-star reviews and counting).

Trade Skills Australia has the best communication techniques that are used when carrying out assessments. They have excellent knowledge skills on what is required for one to get the trade skill certification.

Trade Skills Australia offer the best services for Australian trade qualifications suited for everyone’s needs.

The criteria that they use and all their questions are easy to understand and assignments are that which are practical and up to date with the world class industry. Therefore, the professionalism that they give out is of world class standard and I would recommend everyone to do assessments with them.
With reviews like this, it’s clear that we are the people to go to when looking to gain your qualifications via RPL.

Added bonus (just for you)

We’ll make sure you never get stuck paying for a qualification you can’t use, because we are constantly monitoring the industry and updating the certifications we provide.

Bottomline

Our knowledgeable staff are here to help you go after the career you want.

We make the entire process as pain free as we possibly can for each and every one of our candidates by breaking down the barriers between you and the qualifications you need.

Ready to take the plunge? Click here to get started.

Head to our Articles page for 7 reasons why tradies don’t finish their apprenticeships or info on how changes to visas will help Australia’s skills gap…. and more!

Trade Skills Australia RTO Code: 45637 is a Registered Training Organisation dedicated to providing intensive skills assessment services to non-qualified but skilled engineering trades workers. We help national and international tradies gain better employment opportunities in Australia. Get the qualification you need for the job you want with Trades Skills Australia. Contact us to find out how.

7 Reasons why Tradies don’t Finish their Apprenticeships

OUR RESOURCES

7 Reasons why Tradies don’t Finish their Apprenticeships

Welder in protective gear repairing machinery, showcasing expertise in industrial welding and equipment maintenance

At some point in our lives, there are things that may not turn out to be what we expected.  Whether it is what we want or not, some things are just not meant to be.  And this, too, goes with the apprenticeship.

In Australia, the apprenticeship is the start of building a career path. It combines time at work with training and can be completed full-time, part-time or while you are still at school. From community services and health, travel and tourism, communication and information technology, financial services, agriculture and horticulture, and government, you can land a better job position and qualification when you enter the apprenticeship. 

Here are the benefits of getting an apprenticeship in Australia.

    • You can earn a wage while learning a skill. 
    • Develop practical skills specific to the occupation or industry you are interested in
    • Gain a nationally-recognised qualification which is the basis for further education and training over the course of your working life.
    • Increase your value as a professional and qualified employee.
    • And a whole lot more!

The traditional pathway to build a career is to enter an apprenticeship and complete 4 years of training to obtain a qualification. These qualifications are the basis to climb the ladder for a higher position – which means, higher salary and perks. 

Without a doubt, an apprenticeship is the best way to start your career pathway. But, there are cases of non-completion of apprenticeship. According to a report, half of all tradies were not able to complete their apprenticeship contracts. At this high rate, there must be a reason for apprenticeship termination.

Luckily, we have here gathered the key REASONS why tradies do not finish their apprenticeship.

Loss of employment

We can not overstate the influence of the employer on the non-completion of apprenticeship. In fact, when the tradie lost his employment, the apprenticeship contract is now terminated. Losing employment may have key factors such as low performance at work, inefficiency, or just being unhappy in the job role or workplace. Added to these is the recurring pandemic that has adversely affected many businesses which impact the employment rate. 

Started a family

Once the tradie started a family, priorities may shift including the career.  Traditionally, a young family will have one of the couple who will be left at home to attend to the kids. Getting a nanny in Australia can be costly and not easy because of the requirements imposed by the government. 

Didn’t like the trainer or trainer didn’t like the trainee

When there are issues arising between the trainer and trainee, the usual escape of the trainee is to leave the apprenticeship. One reason may be displeasure with the quality of the teaching or the treatment of the trainee in the classroom. It was common practice in the early 2000’s for trainers to encourage employers to terminate training contracts if the trainer didn’t like the trainee’s attitude towards the training or their work ethic. 

Limitation in location

Some tradies that are into the mining industry may experience a limitation in location as the industry is traditionally located in a remote location or site.  Getting an apprenticeship in a FIFO arrangement may be stressful due to the location of the site with implications such as longer time away from home or family, being alone, and etc. Similarly, some tradies may be located in a rural location and could not undertake a time to a trade school.

Outdated trade course

If the tradie was not provided with an informed choice, chances are they may be able to land an apprenticeship in the outdated trade course. The outdated trade course is not helping the tradie improve or build his career pathway.  Some apprenticeships that started before 1998 may belong to an industry not considered as current. Thus, it is important to choose the best school so that you can ensure that you are on track to build a great career and qualies.

Unrecognised trades

If the trade is unrecognised, tradies may opt to just terminate the apprenticeship. Some trade courses were not recognised 5 years ago so you may need to check with your school. Otherwise, they will be wasting time, money, and effort over the years of training on the unrecognised trades.

Bonus!
Transitioned to another trade

Some tradies transitioned to another trade over the course of their career. For example, a mechanical fitter may shift to a diesel fitter or an automotive mechanic to a mobile plant mechanic.

PLUS — bonus bonus reason
Society needs change

Yes, that is right. If we want success, then society needs change, as well as the needs of the engineering trades industry to keep up with the needs of changing technology and human consumer habits.

Regardless of the reason for non-completion of apprenticeship, tradies should not be denied the opportunity to obtain the qualities they need for the job they deserve.

We at Trade Skills Australia ensure that every tradie will be given the opportunity to the job that matches their education and skills and starts building a great career.  We understand the challenges that may come along with the apprenticeship but we are dedicated to providing excellent and intensive skills assessment services that help them gain better employment opportunities within Australia.

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualification you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

How changes to Visas will help Australia’s Skills Gap

OUR RESOURCES

How changes to Visas will help Australia’s Skills Gap

Large dump truck driving on a dirt road, illustrating transportation in industrial and mining operations

Australia’s skilled labour shortage, and possible solutions.

You may have heard that Australia is experiencing a national skills crisis, but what many don’t want to acknowledge is that there may be a simple solution to the problem.

We’ve all heard the tired argument that migrants are taking our jobs (which has been disproven time and time again), but the conversation is now shifting. More people are acknowledging that migrants may be the solution to Australia’s skills shortage.

In fact, some are saying there is no shortage at all when you factor in all of the experienced, yet unemployed migrants in Australia.

There are, sadly, hundreds of thousands of skilled migrants out of work in Australia. This data shows that there were an estimated 1.9 million migrants in Australia in 2019, and yet only 68% were employed. That leaves over 600,000 migrants in Australia that are out of work and instead of being able to work in their chosen field, are taking any jobs that they can find (food delivery, uber etc.) because they are being overlooked by Australian employers in their chosen fields.

These migrant workers are often significantly more qualified for the available positions than the state average, but despite this fact, the unemployment rate amongst this group is almost double the country’s average.

Generally, when there are shortages in certain industries, the pay wage in that sector skyrockets in an attempt to draw in applicants to bridge the gap.Whereas currently, the opposite is happening. For the past decade wages growth in this sector has been the slowest on record.

So if skilled labour is in such short supply, why aren’t the industry wages being raised by desperate employers trying to find the workers they need?

Food for thought!

What is being done to help migrant workers get and maintain work in Australia?

The Morrison government has decided to extend certain types of work visas in an attempt to make it easier for skilled migrants to remain in Australia and to continue working in critical sectors (including labour skills).

Minister Hawke has stated that “The changes complement the Government’s recent announcement that fully vaccinated eligible temporary and provisional visa holders may enter Australia without a travel exemption from 1 December 2021,”. He also added that
“This is a special concession recognising those highly skilled migrant workers who chose to stay in Australia throughout the pandemic, while continuing to address Australia’s acute shortages. This allows them to stay here, with a pathway to Australian citizenship,”.  

How does this help the skills shortage?

As we mentioned above, there are hundreds of thousands of skilled workers in Australia, willing and ready to help. Extending their visas and allowing them to stay in Australia longer means there are more opportunities for them to fill the gap and help relieve the pressure in their industries. 

What can you do?

If you are an Australian employer in an industry experiencing a skilled labour shortage, the best thing you can do to rectify the situation and keep your company afloat is to not overlook migrant workers who apply for open positions. If they are qualified, have the required level of experience and have good references, give them a go! 

What Trade Skills Australia do to help lessen the impact of the skills shortage?

We help migrants who are qualified in other countries gain their Australian qualifications through RPL to make the process of finding work easier. We offer qualifications for a wide range of in demand trades including:

  • Boilermaking
  • Welding
  • Industrial Painting
  • Fitting
  • Machining
  • And several more! You can find a full list of the qualifications we offer here.

In addition to the qualifications we offer, we have also developed a network of global relations to ensure that we always have the answer, no matter the circumstances. We are the only company like us that we know of who have spent as much time and energy building these relationships and ensuring that we can help as many people as possible.

You can find a more in depth list of the most in demand skills in Australia here.

Bottomline:

Although we are experiencing a skills shortage in Australia, there are plenty of migrant workers who have the skills, knowledge and know how to change this, employers just need to open their minds and give them a chance.

If you are a migrant worker who is internationally qualified and looking to get certified to Australian standards via RPL, we can help! Simply head to the contact us page and reach out! We’d love to help.

If you aren’t sure what RPL is, or would like some more information on how it works, you can read more here:  https://tradeskillsaustralia.com.au/recognition-of-prior-learning/

* You can find more information from the Morrison Gov here
** For more information on the skills crisis, click here

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualification you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

7 Fast Facts about the Australia Mining Industry

OUR RESOURCES

7 Fast Facts about the Australia Mining Industry

Image of a large open mining pit in Australia, showcasing expansive mining operations and geological features

The Australian mining industry is the pillar of the Australian economy. Yes, we are the world’s largest producer of the key mineral commodities.

And there are 80% of the country’s mineral yet to be explored in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, and other regions!

Interesting? Read more.

    • 1.2 million workers in the industry
    • Average of $50B in the annual earrings
    • Average of $160B net worth of resources exports

Mining in Western Australia

Western Australia (WA) is the epicentre of Australian mining and a major player in the international mining industry. It hosts a huge amount of high-grade resources and some of the largest mines in the country.

WA is the world’s largest iron ore supplier, with multiple iron ore projects, especially in the Pilbara region in the north of the state.

New mineral exploration is constantly underway in WA with a new spotlight on lithium and vanadium to meet with the growing demand of green energy alternatives and new battery technologies.

  1. Fast facts:

WA is ranked by the Fraser Institute as the top region in the world for mining investment.

The state hosts 98 per cent of Australia’s iron ore.

Approximately 60 per cent of Australia’s gold reserves can be found in WA.

The sector directly employs more than 20,000 people.

Mining in South Australia

South Australia (SA) exports many important commodities to the world including copper, uranium and zircon. The state is ranked as one of the most attractive regions globally for mining investment.

  1. Fast facts:

BHP’s Olympic Dam is Australia’s largest mine and the world’s largest single deposit of uranium.

Iluka’s Jacinth-Ambrosia in SA is the largest zircon mine in the world.

SA hosts 25% of Australia’s gold resources.

The resources industry directly employs more than 10,000 people.

Mining in Queensland

Queensland (QLD) is a major mining state, with many of Australia’s coal mines located in the Bowen Basin. QLD is also the world’s largest supplier of silver.  

Growing demand in the state has led to new exploration and projects found in the north west and east with a focus on creating jobs for the future. The QLD mining sector is well-poised to be an important player in strategic and critical minerals, including those used in new technologies such as electric vehicles.

  1. Fast facts:

BHP’s Olympic Dam is Australia’s largest mine and the world’s largest single deposit of uranium.

Iluka’s Jacinth-Ambrosia in SA is the largest zircon mine in the world.

SA hosts 25% of Australia’s gold resources.

The resources industry directly employs more than 10,000 people.

Mining in Queensland

Queensland (QLD) is a major mining state, with many of Australia’s coal mines located in the Bowen Basin. QLD is also the world’s largest supplier of silver.

Growing demand in the state has led to new exploration and projects found in the north west and east with a focus on creating jobs for the future. The QLD mining sector is well-poised to be an important player in strategic and critical minerals, including those used in new technologies such as electric vehicles.

  1. Fast facts:

Mining contributes more than $13 billion to the state’s economy and creates 121,000 jobs.

In 1851, gold was discovered in Ballarat, starting the gold rush that made Melbourne one of the richest cities in the world.

Melbourne-based firms accounted for 65% of the Australian Stock Exchange 100 (ASX100) mining stock in 2018.

Mining in New South Wales

New South Wales (NSW) is rich in minerals such as coal, gold, copper, silver, lead and zinc, cobalt and lithium. Major coal deposits are found in the Sydney-Gunnedah Basin. The Cowal open pit gold mine in the Central Western Plains region is the biggest mine in NSW.

NSW has many projects in the pipeline that, once underway, will significantly boost the state’s economic and employment performance.

  1. Fast facts:

Mining in NSW offers 40,000 jobs across the state.

Mining provides almost $2 billion worth of royalties to the state government.

Newcastle exports 160 million tonnes of coking coal per year and is the world’s largest coal export port.

Mining in Tasmania

Tasmania (TAS) has been a significant mineral producer for over a century and boosts strong geological diversity. TAS hosts iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin, high-grade silica and tungsten.

The main three mining operations in TAS are Rosebery, Savage River and the Renison Joint Venture.

  1. Fast facts:

In 2016-17, the resources sector produced $1.8 billion worth of value to the state.

The Renison mine on the West Coast of TAS is Australia’s largest tin deposit.

Mining in the Northern Territory

The Northern Territory (NT) is rich in world class minerals including, zinc, copper, lead, tungsten, lithium, vanadium, phosphate and potash, gold and uranium. There are currently seven high-quality mines operating.

Being located so close to Asia, the port at Darwin gives the NT a geographical advantage for minerals exports and strong relations with major markets in China, Korea, Japan and India.

  1. Fast facts:

NT’s mining and manufacturing industry is valued at more than $4 billion.

Groote Eylandt, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, hosts the world’s largest manganese mine.

One-third of Australia’s known uranium reserves can be found in the NT.

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualifications you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

Sustainable Practises in the Engineering Trade

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Sustainable Practises in the Engineering Trade

Symbolic image of a green planet Earth with arrows indicating sustainable practices in engineering
With sustainability such a hot topic in the world right now, especially when it comes to the mining and engineering industry, people are wondering how those industries plan on making their practices more sustainable?

In December 2021, energy giant Worley announced that it is pivoting to a high value solutions provider with a major focus on sustainability.

They further highlighted their key aspirations, which focused heavily on “fostering an inclusive, safe, inspirational and innovative workplace as well as committing to reaching net zero scope one and two emissions by 2030 played a key role”, according to an article by oil and gas today.

Whilst Worley’s current low- carbon energy sources come from nuclear power and integrated gas, the company aspires to expand this to include low-carbon hydrogen, power networks and renewable energy.

Investing in carbon capture use and storage and green hydrogen is also on the companies agenda.

And they aren’t the only company trying to minimise their carbon footprint by implementing greener strategies.

Mining giant BHP are also trying to improve their impact on the environment by exiting the oil and gas industry. This is a huge step for this company, as they are one of the world’s largest resource companies.

They have made a $40 billion deal with Woodside Petroleum to offload it’s entire oil and gas portfolio. This merger will include BHP’s entire petroleum division across Australia, North Africa and the Americas.

The merger is expected to be completed by June 2022, but is still awaiting approval by shareholders.

When asked for a quote on the demand for the industry to make greener choices, Trade Skills Australia’s Compliance, Sales and Marketing Director Layke Rossiello said “Innovation is a key to success in the current changing climate of the engineering trades workers. With these new construction projects, and new approaches to minerals in general, there’s no shortage of need for all of the engineering trades across Australia. Tradies that think outside the square and bring their own green practices to their work environment would certainly be looked upon favourably when they’re ready to enter the job market for their completed qualification”.

Are you looking to get your trade certification? Trade Skills Australia can help. We can help you gain your Mechanical trade certificate, and a vast variety of other qualifications via RPL, to help you get your dream job.

Want to read more? Head over to the articles section on our website for more interesting reads.

Is it time to get the job you want with the qualification you need? Contact us and find out how we can help you today!

What are the best Safety Tools for Construction Sites?

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What are the best Safety Tools for Construction Sites?

A crane working on a building under construction, illustrating the process of urban development and construction engineering
Construction sites are one of the busiest and most hazardous work environments in Australia and injuries in construction areas are prone to happen unexpectedly. Since 2015, cuts and open wounds, sprains and strains, and chronic joint or muscle conditions are the primary work-related injuries experienced by workers in the construction industry. These injuries are mainly caused by hitting or being hit by an object, lifting, pushing or pulling objects, and falling from heights.

A recent Australian Construction Report showed that an average of 33 workers are seriously injured each day. The majority of workers are involved in cases of falls from height, vehicle collision, and electrocution. In this dangerous workplace, it’s up to management and coworkers to ensure the health and safety of everyone on site. In line with that, everyone must be aware of the various safety tools and tips to be safe and stay productive at work.

Construction safety tools have a significant role in ensuring worker’s safety at work. That is why more companies are working to develop and improve construction safety for better production.

Best Safety Tools For Construction Sites

Take a close look at the best safety tools in construction sites. These are the newest construction safety innovations that will be launched soon!

1. Construction safety halo

Image source: https://illumagear.com/halo-sl/ 

Safety halo is the number 1 safety tool for work operations done at night. In construction sites, less visibility of workers posed more hazards to them.

The Illumagear halo light is usually placed from a laborer’s head or on top of their hat. This tool is a totally game-changing lighting system that is incomparable, reliable, and more convenient than anything else in the market.

Illumagear Halo Light lets the worker be spotted at a distance of over a quarter of a mile and provides 360 degrees of illumination all night long. The powerful light is helpful for the driver to spot the workers at a sufficient distance with enough time to slow down.

With its powerful lighting, it is surprisingly light enough not to weigh down the hardhat. The best thing about it is that illumagear fits many popular hardhats. Simply attach it to a hardhat, and everyone will see you coming.

2. Construction safety in reverse

Image source: https://track-vision.com/

Backing up heavy equipment is critical in construction sites. In fact, fatal accidents in construction sites are caused by being struck by a vehicle. A piece of heavy equipment backing up is dangerous because many blind spots forced drivers to be unaware of their surroundings.

The Track vision tools are specialised cameras for heavy equipment. Construction equipment needs a track vision system so that drivers can have a 115 point of view. It features the recording of video that is helpful in times of an accident. You do not need to rely on eyewitness accounts. 

3. Construction safety drone

Trade Skills Australia - Construction safety drone

Image source: https://track-vision.com/

Drones are not just used in some typical taping for movies or racing as a teens game. Drones are now used in a new comprehensive perspective for a construction site. You can check every nook of the construction site, even if you are miles away. You can check the braces on scaffolding so that you don’t need to send a man hanging to do so. It can improve situational awareness in the team because it gives so much information.

4. Construction safety phone

Trade Skills Australia - Construction safety phone

Image source: https://www.catphones.com/en-au/  

The CAT S60 Smartphone is not just matched from a different brand of phones we used. It is a recommended tool to see heat in the infrared spectrum, which can indicate a catastrophe.  

The construction safety phone of CAT 360 is said to be more innovative because it has an integrated FLIR thermal camera that gives the expected smartphone amenities. This smartphone features water resistance from five meters and is very useful on a construction job site.

5. Construction safety app

Trade Skills Australia - Construction safety app

Image source: https://www.equipchat.com/ 

Equipchat is an AI tool that helps to manage the equipment status. This software assists in easily managing all maintenance schedules, hours of work, equipment, and so much more. There is also a recommended mobile app accessible to use in the office, trailer, or field.

Equipchat is designed to provide seamless reporting and data management in the construction industry. It features notification and alerts when problems arise, faster report modification, and an efficient scoreboard system.

Safety tools are vital, but knowledge in staying safe in a hazardous construction site is formidable.  

Construction safety tips

Here are the various ways you can ensure a safe construction site. 

1. Always wear correct protective gear

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can lessen minor and major injury on the job site. PPE protects the workers from falling objects, inhaling dust, protecting the eyes, and so on. These will help workers to ensure safety and do their work productively. This should also include ear protection, helmet, knee pads, and hi-vis jackets, as well as safety goggles for facial protection.

2. Health and safety training

Training for health and safety must be done and prioritised before going on a respective job site. Construction workers must attend this program to increase awareness and become fully competent to avoid risks. The training also specialises in using first aid and how to conduct basic life-saving techniques if necessary so that everyone will be ready in case of an emergency. 

3. Correctly construct and maintain scaffolding

Constructing scaffolding is necessary and should not be done with shortcuts. It should be built on stable or flat ground with solid footing to prevent the risk of collapsing. Be sure to maintain and repair the damages of structure from time to time and ensure that all workers have passed through on training to build accurate and safe scaffolding. 

4. Display clear signs

Signs are beneficial and essential on a construction site. Thus, the use of highlighting every hazard with the help of posters is extremely efficient. This typically warns everyone to keep a distance from any under-construction area to prevent injuries. Signs are the most simple and effective measures of reducing accidents.

5. Inspect tools and equipment regularly

Prevention is better than the cure. Regular inspection of tools will prevent them malfunctioning, protecting the workers.. Workers rely on the use of tools to do their job effectively. If this equipment is unsafe or broken, it will likely cause accidents. It is both the responsibility of the workers and employer to maintain the tools and equipment with no defects to prevent all serious injuries.

6. Stimulate proper communication

Communication enables an employee to keep safe while at work. This strategy provides easy access to inform and warn everyone what is actually happening in their respective area.  Communicating to identify potential risks will reduce the possibility of arising massive injuries or worse, fatalities. Everyone must have a clear connection with one another to address the problem smoothly.

Is it time to do a risk assessment?

Every business or construction site needs to assess and undertake a risk assessment. . Managing risks at work is a regular procedure such as changing work practices, recommencing operations following a shutdown, responding to the workplace of incidence, and responding to any concerns raised by workers and other personnel. 

Risk assessment should be viewed periodically in managing environment changes over time with response to health and safety protocols in the workplace. All workers should participate and provide feedback during a risk assessment.  After all, maintaining a safe construction site is everyone’s duty.

Free Qualification Check Australia

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Free Qualification Check Australia

Trade Skills Australia - RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

When you seek out a  pre-enrolment eligibility check in Australia, you might discover that you have practically all the skills required to obtain an Australian qualification that could create new employment opportunities. If you’ve been working in engineering-related fields such as boiler making, welding, or even plant design, you’ve probably acquired valuable skills and experience over time. Many of these skills may be the same or similar to what you might learn in a classroom environment. The only difference is that you learned in a hands-on manner — and you don’t have the paperwork to show for it.

At Trade Skills Australia, we can help you assess your skills and determine whether you could pursue a prior learning assessment to earn an Australian qualification without additional and expensive training. Consider what makes that such a valuable proposition.

The Benefits of RPL Qualifications from Trade Skills Australia

Why try to convert your experience into an Australian qualification when you may be comfortably satisfied with your current job performance? Think about the future, and it becomes clear that RPL qualifications offer many benefits, such as:

    • You can skip expensive and unnecessary training to “re-learn” skills you already know. Why invest the money, and especially the time, necessary to sit through training sessions when you can prove you already know the material very well? Pricing. To have a skills assessment, RPL providers might first look at what skill needs assessing, your other certifications and also how long it will take to evaluate a bunch of aptitudes. We have a set price for Cert 3 Engineering, and if you wish to do an upgrade to MEM40119 Certificate IV In Engineering Mechanical Trade.
    • You could qualify yourself for advancement within your current employment setting or begin looking for more advanced work within your field. 
    • You can upgrade an existing qualification you have by demonstrating the advancement of your skills through experience in real work conditions.

What to Expect Regarding Our Prior Learning Assessment

What is our process like? With a streamlined approach designed to be as stress free as possible for our clients, pursuing an RPL is easy with our help. You can anticipate the following:

    • We’ll provide you with a pre-enrolment eligibility check at first to determine if you are a suitable candidate for an RPL. We never require an up-front fee just to get started. Certificates from a short course you have completed through on the job training.
    • We’ll work together with you to start assembling the portfolio you’ll need to prove your qualification. If any areas need shoring up, we can provide helpful suggestions on how to proceed. Your resumé with as many details about your skills as possible and any reference letters from employers and payslips.  
    • We thoroughly conduct your assessment and provide you with an excellent opportunity to win your RPL. We always look for the best ways to help our clients come away with an Australian qualification at the end of the process.

Why Trade Skills Australia is a Cost-Effective Option

With no fee to check your qualifications and no initial set-up fee, you can go deeper into the RPL process without over-committing your financial resources to the process. While we cannot guarantee outcomes, our aim is always to provide you with the best possible chance of obtaining a passing assessment. We respect your time, your budget, and the hard work you’ve done to build up your career to its current stage.Contact us today to learn more about the prior learning assessment process and the potential to take your work to the next level.