Overview About this course

Take your first step into the world of engineering, and gain the foundational skills to launch your career. You will learn the underpinning principles of engineering design in a range of specialist areas. This course prepares you for further study or a trade apprenticeship.

This course is superseded. You can still enrol in this course, and you will be contacted if you need to transition into the next version when it is available.

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Through a mixture of theory and practical course work, learn to:

Apply principles of engineering design
Produce computer-Aided Drawing (CAD)
Organise and communicate information
Interact with computing technology
Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Course outcomes

Gain practical experience and develop specialist skills that give you an advantage in the job market.

Work on a real-world project, drafting technical drawings of engineering components commonly used in manufacturing industries
Opportunities to secure an apprenticeship or traineeship in engineering
A strong technical foundation to build on with continued specialist studies in a range of engineering fields, including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and aviation

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Some courses require evidence of previous experience or study before you can enrol

There are no entry requirements for this qualification. You can enrol now
This course is also offered as a traineeship. Enquire today to check the eligibility requirements.

Entry recommendations

To be prepared for this course, we recommend that you have:

Completed Year 10 of high school and achieved good grades in Maths and English studies
An interest in engineering design, principles and concepts
Enthusiasm for practical skills in engineering and related areas
An aptitude for mechanical processes

TAFE NSW is committed to meeting the learning needs of every community. Meeting these needs can mean there are additional entry requirements at different campus locations. Check your preferred location for further requirements. If you need help preparing for study, contact us to find out how we can support you.

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Our graduates go onto roles like:

Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians assist in mechanical engineering research, design, manufacture, construction, operation and maintenance of machines, manufacturing equipment, mechanical installations and facilities.

Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

93%
Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

1,300 workers
Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

42 years
Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

$1,600
Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

42 hours
Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

High
Gender share

7% female
Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

Strong Growth

Study pathways

Take your study further with other courses offered at TAFE NSW:

Previous study 3 Courses

Begin here to gain experience and confidence in this study area.

Further study 3 Courses

Advance your skills to take your career to the next level

Related study 1 Course

Strengthen your expertise and gain specialist skills to expand your employability.

Certificate IV in Engineering

Your experience counts

At TAFE NSW, we recognise your previous study and work experience. You can apply for recognition of prior learning or a credit transfer with any of our courses. If you're successful you'll get your qualification faster.

Units Units taught in this course

Courses are made up of a combination of both core and specialty units. In the Certificate III in Engineering - Technical qualification, you’ll need to successfully complete 10 units of competency, including 3 core and 7 speciality units.

Core units are central to the job outcomes of a particular industry or occupation. These are the units industry has agreed are essential to be capable and qualified at a particular study level.

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices MSAENV272B
Organise and communicate information MEM16006A
Interact with computing technology MEM16008A

TAFE NSW offers packaged specialty units

Specialty units are packaged by TAFE NSW to customise your qualification and ensure you are ready to meet the demands of industry.

Perform general machining MEM07005
Work effectively in an engineering drafting workplace MEM09201A
Perform computations MEM12024A
Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment MEM30012A
Work safely with ionizing radiation MEM13013B
Interpret technical drawing MEM09002B
Perform basic magnetic particle testing MEM24003B
Use hand tools MEM18001C
Perform ultrasonic thickness testing MEM24007B
Perform basic penetrant testing MEM24001B
Provide advanced customer service MEM16003B
Calculate stresses in simple structures MEM30006A
Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3-D models MEM30033A
Calculate force systems within simple beam structures MEM30005A
Produce basic engineering drawings MEM30032A
Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements MEM30031A
Perform engineering measurements MEM12023A
Measure and sketch site information MEM09203A
Produce freehand sketches MEM09202A
Detail bolts and welds for structural steelwork connections MSATCS302A
Select common engineering materials MEM30007A
Detail fasteners and locking devices in mechanical drawings MEM09208A
Produce schematic drawings for hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power systems MEM09213A
Interpret architectural and engineering design specifications for structural steel detailing MSATCS301A
Detail bearings, seals and other componentry in mechanical drawings MEM09209A
Apply workplace context to own job MSMSUP100
Select welding processes MEM05051A
Participate in quality assurance techniques MEM30024A
Apply basic just in time systems to the reduction of waste MEM30014A
Prepare a simple production schedule MEM30021A
Undertake supervised procurement activities MEM30022A
Use basic preventative maintenance techniques and tools MEM30017A
Develop recommendations for basic set up time improvements MEM30015A
Prepare a simple cost estimate for a manufactured product MEM30023A
Assist in the analysis of a supply chain MEM30016A
Apply basic economic and ergonomic concepts to evaluate engineering applications MEM30008A
Set up basic pneumatic circuits MEM30011A
Produce electrical schematic drawings MEM09205A
Undertake basic process planning MEM30018A
Assist in the preparation of a basic workplace layout MEM30013A
Use resource planning software systems in manufacturing MEM30019A
Produce basic engineering detail drawings MEM09204A
Analyse a simple electrical system circuit MEM30025A
Contribute to the design of basic mechanical systems MEM30009A
Develop and manage a plan for a simple manufacturing related project MEM30020A
Perform basic eddy current testing MEM24005B
Set up basic hydraulic circuits MEM30010A
Prepare basic programs for programmable logic controllers MEM30027A
Perform basic radiographic testing MEM24009B
Perform basic statistical quality control MEM15001B
Perform milling operations MEM07007
Select and test components for simple electronic switching and timing circuits MEM30026A
Assist in sales of technical products/systems MEM30028A
Work safely MSMWHS200
Perform manual soldering/desoldering - electrical/electronic components MEM05001
Use power tools/hand held operations MEM18002

... 14

TAFE NSW services Facilities and support

TAFE NSW provides support services across all campus locations and online. Whatever your needs or circumstances, we have the people, resources, counselling and facilities to support you in focusing on your studies.

TAFE NSW Disability Support Service
TAFE NSW Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) support
TAFE NSW Aboriginal Support; Learner support (ABE)
TAFE NSW Careers, Counselling and Pathways Service
TAFE NSW Libraries

Scholarship programs – be supported as you explore your talents and fulfil your potential
Read&Write literacy and study support software is available free for all TAFE NSW students to use while studying on campus and at home
LinkedIn Learning – an online resource which offers innovative courses and tutorials to improve your personal and professional skills
Student associations – get social with our student community

Overview About this course

Outcomes What you'll gain

Learning outcomes

Course outcomes

Suitability Is this course right for you?

Entry requirements

Completion requirements

Entry recommendations

Pathways Future career and study options

Career pathways

Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

Full-time share Full-time workers usually work 35 hours or more a week (in all their jobs combined).

Employment size Employment size is the number of workers who do this as their main job.

Average age This is the average age of all workers in this job.

Weekly pay Median earnings are shown for full-time, non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax or any amounts that are salary sacrificed. These figures are a guide to earnings only and should not be used to determine a wage rate.

Average full-time The average full-time hours that people in this role work each week.

Skill level rating Skill level ratings are based on the range and complexity of job roles. In general, the higher the skill level, the more formal education and training, previous experience or on-the-job training needed to be good at the job.

Gender share

Future growth The Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business estimates the likely change in number of workers in this role, or industry, over the next 5 years. Future growth is the likely percentage change compared to all other job roles.

Study pathways

Your experience counts

Units Units taught in this course

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices MSAENV272B

Organise and communicate information MEM16006A

Interact with computing technology MEM16008A

TAFE NSW offers packaged specialty units

Perform general machining MEM07005

Work effectively in an engineering drafting workplace MEM09201A

Perform computations MEM12024A

Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment MEM30012A

Work safely with ionizing radiation MEM13013B

Interpret technical drawing MEM09002B

Perform basic magnetic particle testing MEM24003B

Use hand tools MEM18001C

Perform ultrasonic thickness testing MEM24007B

Perform basic penetrant testing MEM24001B

Provide advanced customer service MEM16003B

Calculate stresses in simple structures MEM30006A

Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3-D models MEM30033A

Calculate force systems within simple beam structures MEM30005A

Produce basic engineering drawings MEM30032A

Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements MEM30031A

Perform engineering measurements MEM12023A

Measure and sketch site information MEM09203A

Produce freehand sketches MEM09202A

Detail bolts and welds for structural steelwork connections MSATCS302A

Select common engineering materials MEM30007A

Detail fasteners and locking devices in mechanical drawings MEM09208A

Produce schematic drawings for hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power systems MEM09213A

Interpret architectural and engineering design specifications for structural steel detailing MSATCS301A

Detail bearings, seals and other componentry in mechanical drawings MEM09209A

Apply workplace context to own job MSMSUP100

Select welding processes MEM05051A

Participate in quality assurance techniques MEM30024A

Apply basic just in time systems to the reduction of waste MEM30014A

Prepare a simple production schedule MEM30021A

Undertake supervised procurement activities MEM30022A

Use basic preventative maintenance techniques and tools MEM30017A

Develop recommendations for basic set up time improvements MEM30015A

Prepare a simple cost estimate for a manufactured product MEM30023A

Assist in the analysis of a supply chain MEM30016A

Apply basic economic and ergonomic concepts to evaluate engineering applications MEM30008A

Set up basic pneumatic circuits MEM30011A

Produce electrical schematic drawings MEM09205A

Undertake basic process planning MEM30018A

Assist in the preparation of a basic workplace layout MEM30013A

Use resource planning software systems in manufacturing MEM30019A

Produce basic engineering detail drawings MEM09204A

Analyse a simple electrical system circuit MEM30025A

Contribute to the design of basic mechanical systems MEM30009A

Develop and manage a plan for a simple manufacturing related project MEM30020A

Perform basic eddy current testing MEM24005B

Set up basic hydraulic circuits MEM30010A

Prepare basic programs for programmable logic controllers MEM30027A

Perform basic radiographic testing MEM24009B

Perform basic statistical quality control MEM15001B

Perform milling operations MEM07007

Select and test components for simple electronic switching and timing circuits MEM30026A

Assist in sales of technical products/systems MEM30028A

Work safely MSMWHS200