Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
Duration:
3 months full time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face
Location: 
Sunshine
Start dates:
5 February 2025
23 July 2025
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.
Apply

Overview

Start your training at Victoria University towards a rewarding career in the growing engineering industry.

This hands-on course is designed for people looking to enter an engineering apprenticeship or who are already doing some engineering work and would like to gain accreditation and a pathway to a full apprenticeship. During this course you will be introduced to a range of fundamental skills used in the engineering or manufacturing industry.

Upon completion of this course, you will have developed knowledge and confidence in:

  • welding and thermal cutting
  • reading and creating engineering drawings
  • basic machining; fabrication
  • use of basic hand and power tools.

A pre-apprenticeship gives you a fantastic head start on an apprenticeship, allowing you to lay the foundations for an exciting career in trades.

 

VU’s Learning Hub are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and employability skills.

Our students can attend Learning Hubs at one of five VU campuses.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice, and show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

Our programs include:

  • workshops
  • drop-in sessions
  • peer mentoring
  • maths and writing resources
  • resume and career guidance.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available for all students.

 

Everything you learn at Victoria University has direct links to the real world. You’ll learn practical skills on special purpose machinery at our Construction Hub, giving you the chance to test out your theoretical knowledge.

Some of the equipment you’ll become skilled at using includes lathes, milling machines, drilling machines and grinders. Learning a trade with us means you’ll get the hands-on learning to be job-ready when you graduate.

You’ll learn at our $44 million state-of-the-art trades hub at our Sunshine Campus. Our ‘Construction Futures’ hub is a sustainable training facility with a six-Star Green rating. It provides modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops including:

  • concrete laboratory
  • survey laboratory
  • engine laboratory
  • soldering/construction laboratories
  • power systems laboratory
  • computer workstations with simulation and modelling software.

 

Application support sessions

Do you need help applying for a pre-apprenticeship? Attend an application support session to be guided through your pre-apprenticeship application at VU.

 

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

TAFE resources

Careers

On completion of the Certificate II in Engineering Studies 22632VIC, you may be able to extend your career by undertaking an apprenticeship in mechanical or fabrication trade. You can also choose to continue your education with a Certificate III or Diploma qualification in this field.

Nationally recognised training

This course is nationally recognised training.

Course structure

To be awarded the 22632VIC Certificate II in Engineering Studies, 9 units must be completed, consisting of:

- 8 core units
- 1 elective unit listed in the qualification

VU Polytechnic delivers the electives listed in the ‘course structure and units’ below. These electives have been selected based on industry needs, graduate pathways and/or student and teacher feedback. Alternative suitable electives are only available via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT).

Standard Delivery Program

Core units

Elective units

VDSS Program

Year 1

Year 2

Certificate II in Engineering Studies is a pre-employment course designed to prepare participants for entry-level employment such as an apprenticeship, in the engineering, manufacturing or related industries. The course is also a suitable prerequisite for persons who wish to undertake further studies such as securing an apprenticeship at Certificate III Level or the Diploma of Engineering Technology.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: VET

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a government subsidised place or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

  • government subsidised place pay subsidised tuition fees (the government contributes the rest), and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee along with any material fees
  • full fee-paying place pay the full fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your VET course fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Free TAFE

Students eligible for a government-subsidised place won't be required to pay tuition fees for this course.

To apply for a subsidised place, select your year of choice when you apply for this course.

Find out more about free TAFE for priority courses and register your interest in a free TAFE place.

 

Skills First (subsidised) indicative fees

The Skills First government contribution in 2024 towards this course is $5,901.50. If eligible, you will pay:

  • Tuition: $980.50* (course eligible for Free TAFE)
  • Materials: $290
  • Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF): maximum per year $175.50**

*A concession rate of 20% of the standard Skills First subsidised tuition fee is available if you are eligible for a concession. Learn more about concessions.

**May be subject to change.

Full-fee place total indicative fees

2024 full-fee place: $6,105.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Standard applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
- Literacy and numeracy assessment.
VDSS applicants must complete to determine suitability:
- Pre-training Review (PTR)
The suitability, literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant secondary school.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Available start dates:
  • 5 February 2025
  • 23 July 2025

Before you apply

Before starting your application, please read through the step-by-step VU Polytechnic application process to make sure you have all the necessary documents and information ready to successfully complete your application.

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

Apply direct to VU

Direct applications are due on 3 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 5 February 2025.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

Please note that if changes to this course occur, VU will notify students as soon as possible.

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.