About ATC WA
Welding Courses at the ATC WA

Trades Overview

Cabinet Maker

A cabinetmaker produces furniture, cabinetry and architectural millwork from a variety of natural and manufactured materials for both the commercial and residential markets. Cabinet makers specialise in working with wood and other construction materials to fabricate useful and decorative items.

A Cabinet Maker may be asked to perform the following tasks:

  • Prepare drawings from specifications or determine job requirements by examining drawings and specifications
  • Make layouts, jigs, templates or prototypes for production of furniture
  • Set up and operate woodworking equipment
  • Cut, shape, mould and assemble components of wood and wood substitutes, sand wooden surfaces
  • Apply veneer, stain, polish or plastic laminates to finished surfaces
  • Install completed products; and
  • Fit hinges, locks, catches, drawers and shelves

Where can this trade take me?

Cabinetmakers may specialise in particular areas such as reproduction of antique furniture, kitchen fittings, bedroom suites, office furniture, dining suites, shop fittings and occasional furniture.

Personal Requirements:

  • Enjoy practical and manual activities
  • Able to follow written instructions
  • Able to work to a high level of accuracy
  • Able to make mathematical calculations
  • Good communication skills
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Free from allergies to dust
  • Good physical health/fitness

Length of Apprenticeship: 42 months

You will have had the opportunity to complete up to 12months of your apprenticeship after completion of the 2-year ATC WA School-based Apprenticeship program

Electrician

An Electrician is a tradesperson specialising in electrical wiring of buildings and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians are among the highest paid trade people and enjoy a flexible lifestyle.

Electricians may be asked to perform the following tasks:

  • Read electrical, architectural and mechanical diagrams, drawings or specifications to determine job requirements
  • Plan the layout of wiring systems
  • Test for, locate and repair electrical malfunctions
  • Install electrical and electronic control systems and insulated cables
  • Install electrical equipment such as storage heaters, water heaters, electrical signs and motors
  • Assemble and fabricate electrical and electronic components
  • Connect electrical equipment to power supplies
  • Connect switches, outlets or other fittings
  • Maintain automated production processes

Where can this trade take me?

With experience and possibly some business training, electricians may specialise as electrical contractors, who order materials, organise staff to meet customer needs and carry out other tasks associated with running a business.

Personal Requirements:

  • Good mathematical skills
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Aptitude for mechanics and electronics
  • Good communication skills
  • Able to do precise and detailed work
  • Able to work as part of a team
  • Good physical health/fitness

Approximate Length of Apprenticeship: 48 months

You will have had the opportunity to complete up to 12months of your apprenticeship after completion of the 2-year ATC WA School-based Apprenticeship program

Boilermaker/Welder

Fabrication engineering tradespersons cut, shape, join and finish metal to make, maintain or repair products and structures. They may produce moulds or patterns for metal castings, apply coatings and work with a variety of materials

What can I expect?

As a boilermaker you could expect to carry out the following tasks:

  • Examine detailed drawings or specifications to find out job, material and equipment requirements
  • Cut, roll, shape, bend, mould, spin, heat or hammer metal products to fabricate parts or sub-assemblies
  • Heat treat metal parts or components
  • Set up and/or operate hand and machine tools, welding equipment or computer numerically controlled (CNC) machines
  • Assemble parts and structures by lining up and joining them by welding, bolting or riveting
  • Finish products by cleaning, polishing, filing or bathing them in acid solutions, or by applying protective or decorative coating

Where can this trade take you?

With experience and further study, a competent engineering tradesperson can upgrade their qualifications to become:

  • Coded welders
  • Welding inspectors
  • Underwater welders
  • Site Supervisors
  • Project Managers
  • Trade Trainers
  • Engineers
  • Drafts people
  • Estimators

Personal Requirements:

  • Enjoy working with machines
  • Interested in computer programmable machinery
  • Physically fit
  • Strength to handle materials, tools and machines
  • Good hand-eye coordination
  • Able to work in a team or independently
  • Patience and accuracy
  • No skin or breathing allergies
  • Safety conscious

Length of apprenticeship: 42 months

You will have had the opportunity to complete up to 12-months of your apprenticeship after completion of the 2-year ATC WA School-based Apprenticeship program

Carpenter & Joiner

Carpenters are normally employed on housing estates, construction and civil engineering projects and for maintenance in large factories, hospitals, institutions and private homes. The industry needs plenty of these trades’ people so employment prospects are excellent.

Carpenter and Joiners may perform the following tasks:

  • Construct a formwork into which concrete is poured
  • Set out an outline of the building on the ground of the proposed site, using string and pegs to allow for excavations
  • Build floors, wall frameworks (timber or metal), roofs and suspended ceilings, and lay timber floors.
  • Read plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation processes
  • Install metal and timber windows, sashes and doors
  • Construct and erect prefabricated units such as cottages and houses
  • Cut materials with hand and power tools, and assemble or nail, cut and shape parts; and
  • Install door handles, locks, hardware flooring underlay, insulating material and other fixtures

Where can this trade take you?

With experience and further study, a competent Carpenter can upgrade their qualifications to become:

  • Clerk of works
  • Building Supervisor
  • Building and Construction Manager
  • Building Inspector
  • Trade Trainer
  • Estimator
  • Building Contract Administrator
  • Purchasing Officer

Personal requirements:

  • Enjoy practical work
  • Able to work with your hands
  • Good sense of balance
  • Ability to work at heights
  • Good numeracy skills
  • Good physical health/fitness
  • Ability to work in a team

Length of apprenticeship: Approximately 36months

You will have had the opportunity to complete up to 12months of your apprenticeship after completion of the 2-year ATC WA School-based Apprenticeship program.

Light Vehicle Automotive Mechanic

Light vehicle motor mechanics service, repair and overhaul the mechanical parts of motor vehicles such as the engine, the transmission (clutch, gear box and differential), and the suspension systems (springs, steering, brakes, wheels and tyres).

What can i expect?

As a Light Vehicle Automotive Mechanic you could expect to carry out the following tasks:

  • Discuss problems with car drivers or vehicle operators to discover faults, listen to engines, fit and operate special test equipment and test drive vehicles
  • Repair or replace worn or faulty parts by removing assemblies such as engines, transmissions, differentials or steering gear; dismantling them and checking parts, referring to manuals as necessary
  • Reassemble, test, clean and adjust repaired or replaced parts or assemblies, using various instruments to make sure they are working properly and putting them back into the vehicle
  • Tune engines using special electronic equipment and make fine adjustments (e.g. to carburettors) for smoother running
  • Carry out minor body repairs and minor trim repairs
  • Diagnose, repair and replace engine management/fuel injection components
  • Use oxy, electric, TIG and MIG welders
  • Test and repair electrical systems such as lighting, instrumentation, ignition and electronic fuel injection
  • Inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or list the work required before a certificate can be issued

Where can this trade take you?

With experience and further study, a competent automotive mechanic can upgrade their qualifications to become:

  • Service Manager
  • Service Adviser
  • Technical sales representative
  • Technical Officer
  • Diagnostic specialist

Personal Requirements:

  • Able to work with hand tools
  • Enjoy practical and manual activities
  • Good at technical activities
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Physically fit
  • Normal eyesight and hearing

Length of Apprenticeship: 42 months

You will have had the opportunity to complete up to 12-months of your apprenticeship after completion of the 2-year ATC WA School-based Apprenticeship program


Australian Trades College Perth