Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade - Boilermaking (Apprenticeship)

If you’re passionate about working with metal, enjoy creating and building, and want a career in an industry where your skills are in high demand, then pursuing a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade is an excellent choice for your future.
This apprenticeship combines hands-on training with versatile career opportunities, providing comprehensive instruction in metal fabrication, welding, and structural steel work. You’ll learn to work with precision in a wide range of settings, from manufacturing plants to construction sites, gaining the expertise needed to fabricate, assemble, and repair metal structures and components.
With a strong focus on practical skills and real-world applications, this qualification not only enhances your employability but also opens doors to various specialisations within the engineering and fabrication sectors. In an area like ours, where heavy industry is integral, your skills will be highly valued, leading to competitive wages and long-term career growth.

If you’re passionate about working with metal and want to build a rewarding hands-on career, the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade is the perfect starting point.
This apprenticeship builds the core skills needed to work as a boilermaker or sheet metal tradesperson, focusing on welding, metal fabrication, precision sheet metal techniques, and structural assembly. You’ll gain experience using industry-standard tools, equipment, and techniques to fabricate, repair, and maintain a wide range of metal structures and components.
Your training will prepare you for work across diverse industries such as manufacturing, construction, food processing, clean energy, mining, and heavy industry. For those specialising in sheet metal, you will also develop precision skills to create detailed and lightweight components.
Learning combines on-the-job experience with structured training at TAFE Gippsland, ensuring you graduate job-ready, confident in your abilities, and aware of the latest safety and compliance requirements.
Upon completion, you’ll be ready to work as a qualified fabrication tradesperson, boilermaker, or sheet metal worker.
For those looking to advance their career, you can continue into the Certificate IV in Engineering, which provides opportunities to specialise in areas such as:
• Welding supervision and inspection
• Obtaining welding tickets and certifications
• Registration with Weld Australia
• Leadership and advanced fabrication techniques
This pathway prepares you for technical and supervisory roles, keeping your skills competitive and relevant for future industry needs.

Completing this qualification opens the door to varied career pathways within the fabrication and engineering sectors.
Graduates will be prepared to work in roles such as:
• Boilermaker – fabricating, assembling, and repairing heavy steel structures such as frames, tanks, and platforms.
• Sheet Metal Tradesperson – creating lightweight, detailed components for industries like food production, HVAC, and clean energy.
• Fabrication Tradesperson – working with a variety of metals for construction and manufacturing projects.
• Heavy Fabrication Technician – specialising in large-scale structural work such as mining equipment and heavy machinery.
• Welding Technician – performing welding across multiple processes to industry standards.
Industries you may work in include:
• Mining and Resources – fabricating and maintaining heavy equipment.
• Manufacturing and Production – building products and maintaining production machinery.
• Construction and Infrastructure – producing structural steel components and custom fabrications.
• Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing – contributing to renewable energy and emerging technology projects.

Graduates can continue into the MEM40119 Certificate IV in Engineering, which provides advanced technical skills and leadership training.
This next step offers opportunities to specialise, including:
• Welding supervisor and inspector training
• Obtaining welding tickets and certifications
• Registration with Weld Australia
• Expanded leadership and project management skills
This pathway supports progression into higher-level technical and supervisory roles, ensuring long-term career growth and relevance to industry demands.

By completing this course, you will gain a strong foundation of practical skills and technical knowledge required to work confidently as a qualified fabrication tradesperson in either boilermaking or sheet metal.
You will develop skills in:
• Welding techniques – including manual metal arc (MMAW), gas tungsten arc (GTAW/TIG), and gas metal arc (GMAW/MIG) processes.
• Fabrication and assembly – interpreting technical drawings, cutting, shaping, and joining metals to create both structural and precision components.
• Sheet metal techniques – folding, bending, and forming lightweight metals to exact tolerances for detailed manufacturing applications.
• Safe work practices – understanding and applying workplace health and safety regulations.
• Equipment operation – using industry-standard tools and machines, including CNC equipment, cutting machinery, and workshop tools.
• Problem solving – diagnosing issues with fabricated components and carrying out effective repairs or modifications.
• Environmental sustainability – applying environmentally sustainable work practices in a fabrication setting.
You’ll also gain knowledge of:
• Industry standards and compliance related to fabrication and welding.
• Planning and communication skills to effectively manage projects and work in team environments.
• Emerging technologies in clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
These skills will prepare you for employment across a broad range of industries, while providing a strong foundation for progression into Certificate IV studies.

Are there specified requirements for entry into the course/qualification?: No

Mandatory entry requirements:

Must be an Australian apprentice registered with the Australian Apprenticeship Commission.

Recommended entry Requirements:

There are no mandatory entry requirements for this qualification.
However, learners who have completed VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VDSS) programs, such as the 22470VIC Certificate II in Engineering Studies, or have had exposure to basic engineering or fabrication environments, will have developed a strong foundation in skills and knowledge that can support their success in this apprenticeship.
Having some prior experience with engineering concepts, mathematics, and literacy can help learners transition smoothly into the course, but these are not essential as support services are available throughout the program to assist with skill development as needed.

Limitations to course Entry:

If aged between 15 and 17 years of age will require a school release form from their school.

Not applicable.

Will this course/qualification or a constituent unit provide a pathway to an industry licence or regulated outcome: No