Victoria

    How do I start an apprenticeship?

    There are a few ways to begin your electrical apprenticeship.

    • NECA’s electro-start course – NECA offers a self-funded electro-start course at times throughout the year. This course may lead you to be selected for an apprenticeship with NECA. Some providers offer government-funded career-start courses – check with your local provider.
    • Find employment with NECA or directly with an electrical company. You can secure a job as a NECA Apprentice with us where we are your legal employer, and we arrange work placements with host employers, or directly with an electrical company that will support your apprenticeship.

    Cert III Electrotechnology Electrician enrolment

    To start the Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician course, you must be employed, meet basic language, literacy and numeracy requirements, meet eligibility criteria, and attend a mandatory PTR session.

    If you would like to learn more about your suitability as an electrical apprentice, we offer the NECA Pre-Selection assessment. This is highly regarded by employers in the industry as it provides an assessment from an electrical standpoint.

    Once you have a job, your employer will work with an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP) and the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) to formalise your apprenticeship. You will also need to register with a trade school, like NECA.

    Training locations

    NECA offers Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician training at our Carlton North and Dandenong campuses.

    Concentrating male apprentice electricians wearing hi vis workwear and NECA Education and Careers hardhat works on electric motor in a industrial factory

    Course information

    Course
    UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
    Duration
    4-year apprenticeship (3 years of trade school and 1 year of on-the-job training)
    Mode of study
    In-person at either our Carlton North or Dandenong campus
    Study frequency
    1 day per week OR 1 week (4 days) every 4–5 weeks depending on your agreement with your employer
    Next Intake
    Class commencements take place year-round, based on your training contract and trade school availability.

    To become a qualified electrician, you must complete an electrical apprenticeship that combines on-the-job workplace experience with off-the-job training and education.

    The UEE30820 Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician is a nationally recognised qualification is suitable only for apprentices employed as electricians. It includes competencies to select, install, set up, test, fault find, repair, and maintain electrical systems and equipment in domestic, commercial, and/or industrial settings. This course meets the Energy Safe requirements for an electrician’s licence.

    An electrician is responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair work on a multitude of electrical projects. It doesn’t stop there either – if you’re keen to further develop specialist skills, upon completion of your apprenticeship you may choose to focus on a particular area of the electrical industry such as solar power, refrigeration, optical fibre and more.

    Entry requirements

    To commence at the NECA trade school, you must be working as an electrical apprentice and have a signed apprenticeship contract lodged with an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider (ACAP).

    An ACAP is your first point of contact. They connect apprentices and trainees with employers, and support you throughout your apprenticeship.

    If you’re already an apprentice and don’t know who your Apprentice Connect Australia Provider is follow the link to search or call the Skilling Australia hotline on 1800 020 108.

    RTO admission requirements

    Only applicants that have secured an electrical apprenticeship with an employer will be invited to a pre-training review. When applicants receive an invitation to the pre-training review, it will include access to a practice maths aptitude test.

    This allows applicants time to review mathematical topics they may not have used recently, ensuring all applicants are fully aware of the requirements and fairly assessed.

    Download this sample numeracy assessment to brush up on fundamental maths skills and prepare for the pre-training review.  If you don’t achieve a satisfactory result in the Maths Aptitude Test, we will invite you for a discussion about your entry selection.

    You can check your answers here.

    You will also need basic computer literacy and provide your own laptop.

    Pre-training review

    A pre-training review includes a review of your basic computer, maths and language skill levels. If your skills aren’t quite where they need to be, we will discuss options with you. 

    Basic computer skills assessment.
    A language, literacy & numeracy assessment prior to enrolment
    A separate maths aptitude test, scoring a satisfactory result prior to enrolment

    Become a NECA apprentice

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    Course details

    Start your apprenticeship journey today!

    Embark on a rewarding apprenticeship that combines practical experience with expert mentorship. Gain essential skills, enhance your career opportunities, and build a brighter future in your chosen industry.

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