Advanced entry for adult apprentices in the trades of Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering (Fabrication) - A Vocational Training Guideline
Issued: 3 August 2004
Updated: 19 September 2025
Pursuant to Section 4 of the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Training Act 2001 (Act), the following guideline is issued in relation to the recognised trade vocations of Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering (Fabrication) and the establishment of advanced entry for adult apprentices in these trade vocations.
This Guideline shall apply to the functions relating to the making of vocational training directions concerning advanced entry for adult apprentices in the recognised trade vocations of Engineering (Mechanical) and Engineering (Fabrication) and shall be exercised by the Commissioner for Vocational Training or the Commissioner’s delegate(s).
The nominal term of the apprenticeship in these recognised trade vocations will be reduced by up to two years where the applicant adult apprentice can provide evidence of:
- three years or more practical experience, in a related field of work, prior to making the application; and
- completion of units of competency that comprise at least one third of the competencies (32 weighted points) required for the relevant Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package (MEM) trade qualification, consistent with the qualification packaging rules.
The applicant’s competence may be assessed by a registered Manufacturing and Engineering and Assessment System (MEAS) assessor or a registered training organisation which has the relevant qualification within its scope of registration.
In the first instance, an application to establish a training contract for the applicant is to be submitted in the approved format to the Department of Education.
The application must be supported with appropriate evidence that the learner has met the workplace practice and competency requirements specified above. Applicants may then apply for a vocational training direction to give effect to a reduction in the nominal term of their training contract of up to two years.
Under the terms of the Act, and for the purpose of this Guideline, an adult apprentice is a person of at least 21 years of age at the time of entering into a training contract.
The Commissioner for Vocational Training