Trade Pathways for experienced workers program

Make your industry experience count towards getting a qualification.

If you already have experience working in your industry, you may be eligible to have your skills and previous work experience recognised through the Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers Program. Simply take a skills assessment and you may be eligible for fee-free gap training.

Get recognised today for a career in trades tomorrow.

About the program

TAFE NSW is an approved provider for the delivery of the Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers Program that will assist in the advancement of experienced, unqualified trades workers to enable them to gain a trade qualification.

TAFE NSW will assess applicants previous qualifications and current and/or previous work experience to ensure they have all the necessary work evidence requirements for the specific qualification being undertaken, and determine which Units of Competency (UoCs) from the qualification can be completed as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The remaining UoCs, if any, will be delivered through gap training.

Qualifications offered by TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW is currently offering Trade Pathways for the following qualifications:

Eligibility criteria

TAFE NSW will discuss the following criteria with you:

• Be aged 21 years or older and no longer attending school, at time of enrolment
• Have at least 2 years' experience in the trade you want to be trained in
• Currently work in the industry, or have within the last five years (except Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (MEM30319) where students will need to be currently working in this trade)
• Not be a current registered apprentice or trainee, or if it was canceled, cancellation is more than six months ago
• Assessed as eligible for a minimum of three (3) UoCs of RPL
• Live or work in NSW
• Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

Note: The program is not a recognition process for overseas qualifications.

Student fees

Eligible students are exempt from paying a fee under the Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers Program. This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.

Application and enrolment process

Step 1 - Students enquire and are contacted by TAFE NSW to discuss suitability for the program.

Step 2 - Where students are assessed as eligible for the program;

• TAFE NSW applies to Training Services NSW for authority to enrol the student.
• The student will need to provide any relevant previous qualifications.

Step 3 - TAFE NSW receives approval from Training Services NSW that funding will be granted for the student.

Step 4 - The student is enrolled in the specific qualification. TAFE NSW and the student collate and assess all required evidence and determine which Units of Competency (UoCs) from the qualification can be completed as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Step 5 - The student completes the remaining UoCs, if any, through gap training.

How to apply

Applications for the Trade Pathways for Experienced Workers Program are now open.

Enquire now

If you have any questions about the program, please contact TradePathways@tafensw.edu.au