Metals & Engineering

Course Description

The St Patrick’s Technical College Metals & Engineering program prepares you for a career in the manufacturing, engineering, advanced manufacturing, mining, resources and defence industries.

You will become skilled at welding (oxy, mig, arc and tig), cutting, shaping and manufacturing metal structures and components, machining using lathes and milling machines as well as design.

Metals & Engineering students at St Patrick’s Technical College undertake projects designed by the teams at Century Engineering, Master Plumbers SA, and BAE Systems, as part of the P-TECH Australia project, preparing young Australians for careers of the 21st century. Projects span capabilities in South Australia including water, defence, rail, power, resources and energy applications.

The P-TECH projects give you the opportunity to apply your learning from the College’s industry-focused STEM curriculum plus the Engineering qualification that forms part of your program. Key personnel from our P-TECH industry partners, including engineers and technicians, work with you on the projects and as mentors throughout the program.

This program is part of the StPatsTech School of Engineering & Transport. To see the other pathways available in this sub-school, visit the Programs page.

Course Structure

All students at St Patrick’s Technical College study a nationally-accredited technical / vocational qualification while completing the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Industry Focused SACE
> Essential Mathematics
> Scientific Studies
> Business Innovation

Work Ready Skills
> Essential English
> Integrated Learning: Skills for Life
> Work Experience
> Cross Disciplinary Studies
> Community Connections: Health and Wellbeing

Vocational Training
> Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20413)

Our fully integrated courses mean you don’t sacrifice your high school education while undertaking vocational training, either through one of our certificate courses or through our School-based Apprenticeship program.

All subjects at St Patrick’s Technical College are specifically written with reference to your technical training while the vocational qualification is industry relevant and provides pathways into apprenticeships and traineeships.

St Patrick’s Technical College – Engineering workshop

Curriculum Information

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Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20413)

Course content includes: MIG/ARC welding, TIG welding, brazing and soldering, hand / power tools, fabrication skills.

PEER (RTO Code 45744) is responsible for the quality of accredited training and assessment provided and for the issuing of all qualifications and statements of attainment for this course.

See below for full list of competencies associated with this AQF qualification.

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Integrated Learning

Students apply their knowledge and skills to a real-world task, event, learning opportunity, or context, which leads to a specific purpose, product, or outcome. The subject draws links between aspects of students’ lives and their learning. Students develop and demonstrate their collaboration, teamwork, and self-awareness, and evaluate their learning.

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Essential English

Our literacy program prepares students to communicate effectively within the workplace. This subject provides students with skills required to enhance their oral and written skills. Students learn techniques to improve their employment opportunities, their ability to work in a team and their effectiveness to communicate with customers and clients. Areas such as the planning and writing of job applications, procedures when writing curriculum vitae and the appropriate use of email and other electronic communications are also studied in this course.

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Essential Mathematics

Our numeracy program enables students to develop the mathematical skills necessary to ensure their success and is both practical and theoretical in nature. Students study units of measurement, measuring devices, length, perimeter, area and volume. These units also include components in costing, quoting and scale drawing. These units are fundamental to the success of all students completing a trade and give students a clear understanding of the relevance between mathematics and their chosen career pathway.

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Research Project

In the Research Project, students have the opportunity to study an area of interest in depth. They use their creativity and initiative, while developing the research and presentation skills they will need in further study or work.

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Scientific Studies (Engineering)

This subject is designed for students undertaking the Mining, Metals and Engineering or Automotive courses to gain an understanding of the impact science has had and continues to have on their chosen profession. A hands-on approach is undertaken to ensure students gain an understanding of the characteristics of different metals and how these characteristics are used within industry. Students investigate the strengths of metals and understand how metals fail. The course also investigates the processes used to protect metals from failure and the process of metal production.

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Skills for Life

The Skills for Life program provides students with meaningful and positive experiences as part of the College’s Catholic community. It aims to develop students knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the dignity of the human person, living in relationship and the nature of freedom and responsibility. It helps students to recognise how they can impact and make a difference in their community and to develop skills and values in relation to what is meaningful and significant to their lives.

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Work Studies

In Work Studies students develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the nature, type and structure of the workplace. They learn about the value of unpaid work to society, future trends in the world of work, workers’ rights and responsibilities and career planning. Our extensive Work Experience program is a key component of this subject allowing students to develop and reflect on their capabilities, interests, and aspirations.

Pre-Vocational Competencies

MEM20413	Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
Code	Unit Title
MEM13014A	Apply principles of occupational health and safety in the work environment
MEMPE005A	Develop a career plan for the engineering and manufacturing industry
MEMPE006A	Undertake a basic engineering project
MSAENV272B	Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
	Electives
MEM16006A	Organise and communicate information
MEM18001C	Use hand tools
MEM18002B	Use power tools/hand held operations
MEMPE002A	Use electric welding machines
MEMPE003A	Use oxy-acetylene and soldering equipment
MEMPE004A	Use fabrication equipment
MEMPE007A	Pull apart and reassemble engineering mechanisms
MSAPMSUP106A	Work in a team

Work Experience

St Patrick’s Technical College is focused on helping you move into the workforce. Our Work Ready Skills program gives you the edge when it comes to applying for a job.

Embedded in all the subjects that make up the Work Ready Skills program you’ll discover the key skills that employers are looking for and how you can develop them:

People skills
Reliability
Literacy and numeracy
Communication
Teamwork
Positive attitude and work ethic
Critical thinking
Creativity
Digital literacy
Problem solving

To help you develop these skills and introduce you to potential employers, the College conducts an extensive Work Experience program. All students are expected to undertake a minimum of six weeks of placement in the world of work per year.

Apprenticeship

As part of your program at St Patrick’s Technical College, we’ll support you to move into an apprenticeship as soon as you’re ready.

St Patrick’s Technical College is the School-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) specialist.

A SBAT is a mix of academic, vocational education, training and employment.

Through your SBAT at StPatsTech, employment skills and real-world experience are an integral part of your school program.

Our apprenticeship program is the only one of its kind in South Australia. We allow you and your employer maximum flexibility so you both get the most out of your SBAT.

Career Pathways

Within the metals and engineering industry, you may be involved in activities such as cutting, pressing or casting metal, welding or grinding and working with heavy machinery, computer technology, cabling and mechanical equipment.

Career opportunities in the industry include:

Boiler or Engine Operator
Boilermaker’s Assistant
Fitter’s Assistant
Engineering Production Worker
Metal Engineering Process Worker