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Course not available to international students

Location: 
Industry
Sunshine
Werribee
Study off-campus:
Available for Traineeship.
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Application due dates:
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Overview

Gain the skills necessary to work on major infrastructure projects in the fast growing civil construction industry.

Developed in partnership with industry, the Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations at VU Polytechnic will teach you the in-demand skills to pursue your career as a plant operator.

You will develop the skills and knowledge to:

  • plan and organise work
  • carry out measurements and calculations
  • identify, locate and protect underground services
  • read and interpret plans and specifications
  • carry out manual excavation
  • support plant operations
  • carry out basic levelling
  • communicate in the workplace
  • handle resources and infrastructure materials and safely dispose of non-toxic materials
  • use hand and power tools
  • operate a small plant and equipment
  • work safely and follow WHS policies and procedures
  • drain and dewater civil construction sites
  • usage of various civil construction machinery.

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 sustainable with a 6 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.

VU’s Learning Hubs 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.

TAFE resources

The Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations equips you with the essential skills to work in the booming civil construction industry.

Careers in civil construction

Possible career opportunities after the completion of this course include:

  • asphalter/pavement layer
  • bridge construction worker
  • civil construction plant operator
  • civil foundations worker
  • construction rescue worker
  • construction worker (civil construction general)
  • construction worker (site maintenance)
  • mine rescue worker
  • mobile plant operator
  • pipe layer
  • road construction worker
  • road marker
  • timber bridge constructor
  • traffic controller
  • trenchless technology civil foundation worker
  • tunnel constructor or builder.

Nationally recognised training

This course is nationally recognised training.

Course structure

To be awarded the RII30815 Certificate III in Civil Construction Plant Operations, a student must successfully complete a total of nineteen (19) units of competency, comprising of:

  • fourteen (14) core units, and;
  • five (5) elective units, of which:
  • one (1) unit must be selected from Group A;
  • two (2) units must be selected from Group B;
  • no more than two (2) units may be selected from Group C, and;
  • no more than one (1) unit may be chosen from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.

OR

  • two (2) units must be selected from Group A;
  • three (3) units may be selected from Group A, B or C;
  • no more than one (1) unit may be selected from elsewhere within this training package, or from another endorsed training package, or from an accredited course.

All elective units selected from outside this qualification must reflect current occupational and learning outcomes of this AQF qualification level as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

This qualification reflects the role of a skilled operator working with civil construction plant, who applies a broad range of skills in a varied work context, using some discretion and judgement and relevant theoretical knowledge.  The individual may provide theoretical advice and support a team.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this qualification can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors.  Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the qualification.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Fees & scholarships

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

If you enrol in a:

  • Government subsidised place, you’ll pay a VET tuition fee and may be required to pay a Student Services and Amenities Fee and course materials contribution. This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.
  • full-fee paying place, you’ll pay the full-fee tuition rate (which includes Student Services and Amenities Fee and any material fees).

Calculate your course fees.

Find out:

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. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Entry requirements

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.

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.

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.

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Building and Construction courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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Contact VU Polytechnic

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.