Thread: Dual Trade

Ive been doing alot of thinking about my options.

Ive done calculations to see how much money i will be giving up if i do the tafe course. Works out to be around $10,000 pay lost over the 3 years, plus tafe fees, text books, travel expenses (most of which can be claimed on tax i beleive).

My boss is not willing to pay for the course, or the time i spend away from work (which is understandable, but still a little frustratng), and i will receive very little extra pay on the completion of the course.

I also have taken into consideration finding another employer and just doing electrical when i finish my electrical apprenticeship.

And finally, the things relating to variety of work vs. money. Doing the course would mean i am better qualified in a larger variety of work, but at the same time, i only need the qualification to do the extra work if i start my own business.

I have also considered the possibility of starting a business in the future and still am weighting up weather or not its a sensible option. Being that i give up holiday pay, super etc, but at the same time gain a few other things like flexible hours, ability to choose my work etc.

These are all the things im considering, and at this point im still undecided.

But im not letting it stress me, just weighing up the options and ill see what happens.

It's interesting to see you do the research and work through your thinking. I'm sure you'll make the right decision for you.

Good Luck!

Wendy

Originally Posted by cross

i only need the qualification to do the extra work if i start my own business.

I don't think this is correct.

To work as a refrigeration mechanic you either need to be licensed or be an endentured apprentice under the direct supervision of a licensed refrigeration mechanic.

Cheers, Jack

Originally Posted by Jack E

I don't think this is correct.

To work as a refrigeration mechanic you either need to be licensed or be an endentured apprentice under the direct supervision of a licensed refrigeration mechanic.

Cheers, Jack

Technically, i agree. But in my boss' mind.. it doesnt matter.

Originally Posted by cross

Technically, i agree. But in my boss' mind.. it doesnt matter.

Aah yes, but what about your next boss.

Another point to consider, licenses never becom easier to attain, generally they become harder and harder to attain. If you get the qualifications and license now it may save you a lot of grief and work further down the track.

Mick

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Another point to consider, licenses never becom easier to attain, generally they become harder and harder to attain.

Mick

How true, some years ago I could have just applied to get my domestic builders licence no questions asked, but I didnt bother.

Al

Al,
I should have gotten mine a few years ago, would have been a fee and a bit of paper work but I had no interest in building houses anymore. The way licensing has gone in Qld now the carpenter's contractor license is very restrictive in what work you can perform for the public. So I'm probably going to have to pull my finger out and do a huge stack of paper work and pay a lot more money to get the same bit of paper (well it's a plastic card now)

Mick

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

Ive made my decision. Im not going to do the course. After alot more discussion with my boss he is no longer even willing to guarentee that he will provide me with the training for the refrigeration side of things. Leaving me with limited options.

I plan to finish my apprenticeship with him (1 year to go) and then seek another employer.

Thanks again.

Cross,
something else to consider:
It's much easier to study when you're young, your brain has a greater capacity to learn the younger you are (bad timing as you've got less motivation, generally ).
The course will only cost you more, should you consider doing it later on.
The license will only ever be harder to get.
Job security; in this day and age job security is almost non existant.
If you want to work on wages for the rest of your life, that's fine, but you'll be more employable with dual qualifications.
Dual qualifications will mean more jobs are open to you.
If you want to work for yourself then there are more options open to you and a larger client base.

Perhaps your boss withdrew his offer to fund the course because you don't seem committed. Decide, really decide what you're going to do and then do it. If it means doing the course then tell him and you may be pleasantly suprised. If you decide not to do the course, fine, just be very sure that whatever you decide you won't look back and say: "if only......"

Mick

Cross,
what happened to the post you put up saying you were still in two minds? Get your act together!

Mick

Thanks for the replies Mick.

I dont think my lack of "commitment" is the problem with my boss. My seemingly constant change of mind about what im doing has only been in my mind and on this forum. I have only discussed with my boss that i wanted to do the course. It is his inability to give me a clear answer that causes me to keep changing my mind. In all fairness he is dealing with some personal problems at the moment so i dont blame him for not being able to give me an answer and put my question at the top of his list of priorities.

I have until the start of next year to make my choice. I still am not really convinced either way. If i find that my boss is willing to provide me with the training then i would commit 100% to doing the course.

I will continue to stay open to all the options and see what happens at the end of the year.

Cross,
$10K over 3 years = less than $65 per week.
Now I know that on apprentice wages that's a bit, but it's not impossible. If you wait a few years until you've got a wife and kids it will cost more and it will be much harder to find the time.

Ask yourself:
If I do the course instead of work, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course instead of party, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course instead of travel, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course now, will I regret it down the line?

Mick

If I do the course instead of work, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course instead of party, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course instead of travel, will I regret it down the line?
If I do the course now, will I regret it down the line?

The problem is. No matter how much i want to do the course, unless my boss actually wants to spend the time training me and give me the time off to do it, then i dont have the option.

Originally Posted by cross

Thats the complete reply. I dont have a copy of what i sent, but it went something like:

"i am currently doing the 3rd year of my electrical apprenticeship. The company i work for does electrical and aircon/refrigeration. What am i required to do to recieve a licence. Send a letter signed by my employer highlighting my experience in the trade? The 3 year tafe course?"

Well have you looked into the links I provided? Have you rung anyone?

I followed the links and came up with this: -

UTE30999 Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning)

Applicants for trade recognition should provide evidence to demonstrate at least 4 years practical experience in the following trade competencies.

In addition to any other evidence supporting an application for trade recognition, applicants are encouraged to use this checklist as a self assessment competency guide and lodge it with the application.

For further information and a guide to assist applicants for Trade Recognition in this trade, click here (PDF 80KB).
http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au...s/UTE30999.htm

And from the pdf: -

If you are seeking trade recognition as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
you must provide evidence that you have successfully complete a recognised course,
module or unit of competency on the safe handling of refrigerants in Australia.
That means that you must have completed either of the following (or equivalent):
Recognised Training Course: CFC/HCFC Accreditation course required for
State/Territory CFC/HCFC User Authorisation, prior to 1st July 2005
National module: NR03 Refrigerants
Unit of Competence: MEM18.86A Test, Evacuate and Charge Refrigerants.
Unit of Competence: UEENEE008A Recover, Pressure and Leak Test, Evacuate
and Charge Refrigeration Systems
http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au...9_appinfo3.pdf

And the MEM18.86A is a very short course: -

Course Name: Split Air-Conditioning Systems
Fees: $650 (GST Exempt) (No concession)
Times and Dates:
Length: Feb 1 - Feb 3, Thu - Sat 8am - 4pm, 3 x 7hrs
http://www.shortcourses.vic.gov.au/s...619&prv_id=170

I'd certainly be ringing around to find out what this Trade Recognition Certificate is all about if I were you.
There's a document here that I haven't looked at. : -
http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au...kills_0905.pdf
Another one here: -
http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au...99_sept_05.pdf
And in this document: -
http://apprenticeship.det.nsw.edu.au/html/tradelist.htm
Refrigeration/Air Conditioning (Mechanic) is listed as a trade that can be certified by a Trade Recognition Certificate.

I might be getting your hopes up, but it doesn't sound like you've done any real inquiries into taking a short cut to your license.

You've got to have a license to be a painter, but very few of them have done the four year course at Tech. I couldn't think of a bigger waste of time than spending four years learning how to push a roller and slop a bit of paint on a wall. with four years training you ought to be able to re-pant the Sistine Chapel (no offense to any painters out there.)

If you don't ask, then you'll never find out. Don't listen to Arktic. They just want your money. Ring TAFE. You never know. You may just have to pass that test they're talking about in that link I provided, and get your boss to sign off that you've been installing air cons for the last four years?