Significant changes to engineer training

CAREER LADDER: SMNMT Brendon Pippin will consider the training changes when he completes his five year career plan. Photo: ABPH Paul Berry

Volume 49, No. 18 , October 05, 2006

Following an occupational analysis involving technical categories, engineering training continues to have significant changes.

According to training officers, it is important that these changes are understood by those concerned, and are fully considered when completing Five Year Career Plans (FYCP).

The new training continuum is designed to provide a seamless career path from SMN technical rate to LEUT Engineering Officer.

In the first of these changes, Initial Technical Training (ITT) for Marine Technical and Weapons Electrical sailors was introduced.

This simplified course prevents over-training and overloading personnel during the induction phase of their careers.

It also allows trainees to quickly progress to the actual work environment to consolidate their skills before undertaking more advanced training.

On completion of the ITT Competency Task Journal, personnel will be awarded a Certificate III in their respective trades.

Another change involves the removal of all Leading Seaman Advanced Technical Training (LSATT).

Instead of completing an LSATT, future Certificate IV qualifications will be based on completion of an Applied Skills and Technology Course (ASTC), or Equipment Application Course (EAC).

It should be noted that the award of qualification also involves the completion of any associated competency task journal for the ASTC/EAC.

Once achieved this will be the trigger for increasing skill and pay grades.

Petty Officer Advanced Technical Training (POATT) has also changed format. In the future this level of training will provided in the form of a Senior Technicians Course (STC).

The STC will be available to LSMT and LSET sailors who are eligible for promotion to Petty Officer, who have also re-engaged beyond their initial enlistment period.

This course will effectively take successful candidates from the Certificate IV level to an Advanced Trade Diploma – Certificate V, once they complete their respective competency task journal.

Those who don’t complete the task journal will receive a Statement of Attainment on discharge.

Technical sailors should also be advised that the STC includes many of the modules already provided through previous Leading Seaman and Petty Officer ATTs.

As a result POs who have already completed their POATT will not be required to attend an STC course.

Personnel who have completed an LSATT, but have not attended a POATT, will be required to complete a credit transfer version of the course.

The credit transfer version of the course will recognise modules previously covered in the LSATT, removing the threat of retraining personnel in existing competencies.

The credit transfer version of the STC is about eight weeks long, but will be confirmed on successful completion of the pilot course which began in August.

The full version of the STC will be about 11 weeks – the exact timeframes will also be confirmed on successful completion of a pilot course.

Course panelling and nomination will be conducted by DSCM.

Finally, the composition of the CPOATT and WOATT are still under consideration.

Notwithstanding, successful completion of the CPOATT and associated Task Journal will result in the award of Diploma of Engineering – Technical Certificate V. Completion of the WOATT will result in the award of an Advanced Diploma of Engineering Certificate VI.

For further information personnel can visit the DPNR (E&L) intranet site at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/SADNPR_EET/.

.