The Importance of TRAINING

For many years I have been training apprentices and qualified trades people in an array of tasks from putting on a respirator to helping with multi-million-dollar business owners just looking for a different result to what they are getting today.

Let’s start with apprentices. When I first meet them, some are open that they know nothing and are willing to learn everything that our great industry is about. Then I have others that say they know everything about painting and can’t understand why they need to be here. It’s surprising how many think that way. Generally, after explaining what they are here to learn they realise the depth of knowledge they are yet to attain and change their minds.

What is a unit?

A Unit of Competency is the smallest component of a Training Package that can be assessed and recognised. It gives a description of the skills and knowledge required to perform effectively to a specific standard in a particular workplace role or function.

So, what exactly is involved in training a Painting apprenticeship?

There are 29 units in a Certificate III Painting and Decorating Apprenticeship. Not all those units can be completed on the job. Generally, only 14-16 of the units are completed on the job depending on the type of work the employer does. Off-site training is imperative to give the apprentice a full understanding of what is demanded in the painting industry.

In painting and decorating there are 29 units. Each unit has been specifically designed to ensure that the people completing the training, understanding what they need to learn and being competent to complete the tasks within the workplace.

To give you a thorough understanding, I will explain this in groups of units over the next 12 months.

This month I am going to cover 3 units:

• Work Effectively and Sustainably in the Construction Industry,

• Plan and Organise Work

• Conduct Workplace Communication

These 3 units are what are called Core Units and are completed by every apprentice that completes an apprenticeship within the construction industry. Most of the required tasks and skills are completed in the workplace; however, the trainer still needs to assess each student on their merits.

There is theory or what we call ‘underpinning knowledge’ required for each unit.

I am going to take you through some of the ways that these units are broken down into required tasks that are performed in the workplace and then what type of things trainers do to educate the apprentices of industry best practice.

Work Effectively and Sustainably in the Construction Industry

The apprentice must understand Working effectively in a team, investigate construction industry employment pathways and identify and follow environmental and resource efficiency requirements.

If you are preparing the plasterboard walls inside a house, make sure before you leave the truck that you have all the tools and materials to complete the job. You should NOT have to go backwards and forwards getting things you have forgotten.

Conduct Workplace Communication

The student must convey and receive information and instructions, access, interpret and present information and participate in simple meeting processes. There is a theory component, then the training and assessment of this unit includes, them being told to complete tasks and ensuring that they can relay what has been discussed and complete the tasks set in a reasonable timeframe.

In training, I look for and teach a range of techniques. I have the apprentice’s complete tasks together and I teach them about becoming environmentally friendly through using a 3-bucket wash system and an Enviro wash system. I explain to them the importance of the environmental imkpact and how some of the work habits are affecting their future.

Plan and Organise Work

The student must determine and plan basic work task activities and organise performance of basic work task.

Once again, there is a theory component which I quiz them on. I also set them tasks to perform in training as a team as well as individually. As I explain to the apprentices, the most important things are not to waste time, concentrate on what the required task is, and using the right tools needed to do the job.

While some of these concepts seem basic and intuitive, it's crucial that every apprentice demonstrates that they have a thorough understanding of these principles to ensure they are starting off with good practices, communicating effectively, and remaining safe and effective on a worksite.

This is the first of a 12 part series that I am writing explaining the process I go through as a trainer.

If you are wanting me to train your apprentice or if you have any questions, feel free to reach out and contact me.

Nigel Gorman info@aussiepaintersnetwork.com.au 1800 355 344 / 07 3555 8010