TAFE taster courses were a huge hit with participants

TAFE NSW Cobar recently held its first
welding taster courses and they proved it
be a hit with the local community.
Demand for the free Statement of Attainment
in Introduction to Welding surprised
everyone, with courses filling to capacity just
days after they were announced.
TAFE NSW Cobar has already filled additional
courses starting this semester and there
are plans to launch a Certificate II in Engineering
(Metal Fabrication and Welding) in
2022.
The taster courses attracted a range of people
from the local community including five
apprentices from Glencore’s CSA Mine who
were looking to upskill.
Glencore’s Mobile Maintenance Superintendent
Peter Patton said the courses have
been of benefit, particularly for their apprentices.
“Our apprentices get basic welding skills as
part of their apprenticeship but to receive one
-on-one support and guidance from a qualified
boiler maker is invaluable,” Mr Patton
said.
“Our apprentices can now undertake more
intricate jobs in fabrication as well as standard
repair work.
“This TAFE NSW course has really improved
their technical abilities and makes our
apprentices more versatile on the job site.
“I even did the course with them to hone
my own skills,” he said.
Welding Teacher Wade Greenwood said
the taster courses also attracted self-taught
farmers wanting to improve their techniques
and safety knowledge along with retirees, like
Joan Maiden who was keen to start a new
hobby.
Mr Greenwood said during the course Joan
created some really interesting art pieces
including a brolga made from old tools and
scrap metal.
“It’s really very beautiful,” he said.
Joan said after her husband passed away his
welder had just been sitting in their shed.
“I was interested in doing garden ornaments.
I loved making the brolga and I also
made a cow from an axe-head, shovel and
horseshoes.
“I have quite a few projects in mind now –
I’ve started making pot stands for camp ovens
from old horseshoes and I’m sculpting a
bird’s nest using barbed wire and birds made
from pliers.”
Joan said she’s keen to do another TAFE
NSW course to further build on her skills.