The composite industry’s approach to training has undergone a revolution with the introduction of a new National Certificate.

Until now, people working in the fibreglass and fibre reinforced plastics industry who wished to gain formal qualifications in composites have only had access to a Level 4 apprenticeship that took three years to gain.

The Industry Training Organisation Competenz, has worked with the sector in developing the new National Certificate in Composites Level 3 as a one-year programme. The industry requested that the qualification recognise all functions within the industry and which would allow for employees to complete traineeships.

Competenz Group Industry & Development Manager, Carl Davies, says the course is designed to build trainee competency as well as to provide flexibility to meet the needs of the company they work for. “The new certificate includes the core training from Level 4 so any trainee completing the Level 3 qualification can also progress onto an apprenticeship,” he says. “We have developed a much more flexible training programme that better suits the industry’s requirements.”

The composites industry – whose products range from bathroom items and industrial products such as truck components through to boatbuilding, has welcomed the new qualification. Training provider spokesperson, Cyril Shaw from Employment Plus in Feilding, says the Level 3 certificate is designed to give people the basic skills in composite work. “The Level 4 certificate did not suit everyone in the industry,” says Cyril. “We needed a qualification that offered more of a career path. With a Level 3 certificate, a worker will be able to come into a factory and work with minimal supervision,” he says. He says the industry has struggled to attract trained workers and training their own workers with the new qualification is seen as a way of closing the “huge gaps” in its skill base.

Ivan Ingham, a member of the Composites Association of New Zealand, says the new qualification revolutionises the industry’s approach to training. “The composites industry has come a long way, with more types of resins, different reinforcements and the expense of the materials used in the manufacturing process,” he says. “It’s more complicated and there is a greater need to be more accurate and build products exactly to specification”.

There are a lot more knowledge and skills required in today’s workplace. “Companies need to have trained people but until now we have only had the Level 4 Certificate and some of the qualifications were not relevant to everyone in the workplace. ”

The new qualification allows an employer to offer a training programme purposely designed to progress the trainee right through the company. “This qualification is something to which every employee in every company can aspire.”

The new certificate comprises 57 compulsory credits covering first aid, safety and health, foundation skills in fibreglass production techniques, engineering measurement and core skills. There are also 20 elective credits covering specialist skills appropriate to the individual workplace.