Duration:
4 months full time
Delivery mode:
Face to Face with eLearning
Location: 
Start dates:
28 January 2025
3 March 2025
Application due dates:
Applications for this course are currently being accepted.

Overview

Lay the groundwork for an electrical apprenticeship or traineeship with a Certificate II in Electrotechnology Studies (Pre-vocational) 22499VIC at Victoria University (VU).

If you’re a school leaver or new to the workforce, this electrical pre-apprenticeship will equip you with the practical skills and foundational knowledge to kickstart your career. This course will also give you an insight into the electrical/electronics industry to help you choose your career path.

In this electrical course, you'll develop technical skills and knowledge that will ensure you are ready for work in the electrical trade, including:

  • basic electrical theory and workshop practices
  • basic network cabling for extra low voltage (ELV) equipment and devices
  • use of test instruments in the electrotechnology industry
  • wiring and installation
  • basic sustainable energy solutions for domestic premises
  • fabrication, assembling and dismantling utilities' industry components
  • working with electrotechnology equipment and test instruments
  • workplace safety and first aid.

You’ll graduate with a nationally recognised qualification as well as credits for further training as an apprentice or trainee in the electrotechnology industry in areas such as:

  • electrical
  • renewable energy
  • air conditioning/refrigeration
  • instrumentation.

You’ll learn the latest industry-standard skills and get access to special-purpose machinery at our multimillion-dollar trade training facility on our Sunshine Campus.

Many of our trades courses are co-located at our unique construction hub, so you’ll work alongside others studying in the construction industry. Through student-centred, project-based learning in a realistic environment, you’ll practise the skills you need to get job-ready. 

You’ll learn from teachers who have valuable industry contacts and the latest industry-standard skills. You’ll also develop links with industry and professional experience through:

  • industry projects
  • live work
  • industry simulation.

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


How a pre-apprenticeship can launch your trades career

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

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 Polytechnic.

Careers in electrotechnology

With more than 10% future industry growth expected for electricians over the next five years, electrical skills are highly sought-after and job prospects are good.

Since employers often prefer apprentice applicants that have completed a pre-apprenticeship, this course will open your door to a wider range of opportunities in the building, construction and maintenance industries. 

When you graduate, you’ll be ready for roles such as:

  • apprentice electrician
  • apprentice electrical fitter
  • apprentice air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
  • renewable energy systems installer
  • electrical engineering technician
  • renewable energy sales and support.

Course structure

To be awarded the 22499VIC Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Pre-vocational), 15 units must be completed comprising:
- 13 core units
- a minimum of 2 elective units.

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).

Core units

Elective units

VDSS Program

Year 1

Year 2

This pre-vocational course is primarily for school leavers and other new entrants wishing to prepare themselves to gain a traineeship, apprenticeship or other employment in the electrotechnology industry.

The course provides an overview of the industry, employment opportunities and the training pathways available. It also includes training in the fundamentals of electrical, telecommunication, refrigeration and air conditioning systems as well as workshop experience in fabrication and assembly techniques, wiring, cabling, basic installation skills and use of test equipment. Workplace safety and first aid training are also included.

The electrotechnology industry is a fast developing and highly technical industry. It is changing and growing rapidly as technology advances in fields such as data communication, home automation, intelligent systems for industrial and facilities management and renewable/sustainable energy systems.

Many sub sectors make up the electrotechnology industry. These include:
• electrical (residential, commercial and industrial)
• electricity supply (generation, transmission and distribution)
• electronics
• communications
• computer systems
• information/data technology
• instrumentation
• lifts
• air-conditioning and refrigeration
• renewable energy
• fire and security
• photovoltaic systems

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.

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.

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:

  • 28 January 2025
  • 3 March 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 29 January 2025 for our next intake which starts on 28 January 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

Enquire now – TAFE

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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.