Certificate II in Polymer Processing

Job roles/employment outcomes

The Certificate II in Polymer Processing is intended for competent operators who operate production equipment or undertake similar roles directly producing products. The operator would apply a breadth and depth of knowledge to a defined range of situations and would be expected to apply this knowledge to solve a defined range of problems by applying known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems.

For job roles at Certificate I level and for people working in the industry in production support roles, the following Certificates in MSA07 Manufacturing Training Package would be appropriate:

MSA10207 Certificate I in Process Manufacturing

MSA20107 Certificate II in Process Manufacturing.

The relevant MSA units of competency for these Certificates are available as electives in PMB07 Plastics, Rubber and Cablemaking Training Package.

This industry manufactures a wide range of polymer products and components ranging from consumer products to components to be included in other industrial or consumer products. Much of it is long runs of standard products, but equally it may be short runs/one offs of specialised products. It uses a wide range of natural and synthetic polymers covering thermoplastics as well as thermosetting polymers.

The products from this industry may be components in automobiles, aeroplanes and marine craft as well as domestic appliances and industrial and commercial plant and equipment. It may also be electrical or data cabling. They may equally be consumer products such as paint brushes, tooth brushes, lunch boxes or carry bags.

People with this qualification may be expected to operate production equipment and carry out a range of support functions

Training programs for this qualification are suitable to be undertaken as part of a formal training contract with an employer under an Australian Traineeship or Apprenticeship arrangement.

Pathways into the qualification

This qualification may be accessed by direct entry, or entry may also be gained through MSA10207 Certificate I in Process Manufacturing.

Units of competency contained within this qualification may be common with other manufacturing qualifications and credit should be granted towards this qualification where competency has already been achieved. Credit should also be granted towards this qualification where competency has been achieved in units of competency contained within relevant skill sets.

The units of competency in this qualification reflect competencies which are practiced within the industry and recognition of prior learning (RPL) should be granted where there is sufficient evidence of competency from work-based experience.

Pathways from the qualification

Further qualification pathways from this qualification include PMB30107 Certificate III in Polymer Processing

Additional qualification advice

MSA21108 Certificate II in Competitive Manufacturing and MSA20107 Certificate II in Process Manufacturing are available for those who need a more generalist qualification covering the application of good manufacturing practice and lean principles.

Licensing considerations

There are no specific licences that relate to this qualification. However, units of competency in this qualification may provide the underpinning knowledge and skills required for various licences. Local regulations should be checked for details.


Subjects

Packaging Rules

To be awarded the Certificate II in Polymer Processing competency must be achieved in fourteen (14) units of competency:

three (3) core units of competency

eleven (11) elective units of competency, as specified below.

Note: Where prerequisite units apply, these must be considered in the total number of units chosen.

Core units of competency

Unit code

Unit title

Prerequisite

add topic MSAENV272B

Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

add topic MSAPMOHS200A

Work safely

add topic MSAPMSUP210A

Process and record information

Elective units of competency

Select eleven (11) units of competency, as specified below:

a minimum of three (3) from Group A

The remainder may be chosen from Groups A and B to bring the total number of electives to eleven (11).

Note: Up to four (4) of the elective units can be chosen from other qualifications in this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses, as specified in Group B.

Group A

Unit code

Unit title

Prerequisite

add topic FPICOT2206B

Cross cut materials with a hand-held chainsaw

add topic MSAPMOPS200A

Operate equipment

add topic MSAPMOPS212A

Use enterprise computers or data systems

add topic MSAPMOPS244A

Layout and cut materials

add topic PMBFIN201C

Finish products and components

add topic PMBFIN202C

Fit attachments to products

add topic PMBFIN203C

Repair product imperfections

add topic PMBFIN205C

Hand decorate products

add topic PMBPREP201B

Prepare moulds for composites production

add topic PMBPREP205C

Assemble materials and equipment for production

add topic PMBPREP206C

Prepare materials to formulae

add topic PMBPROD206B

Operate ancillary equipment

add topic PMBPROD207B

Operate calender

add topic PMBPROD209C

Operate cable winding equipment

add topic PMBPROD210B

Operate injection moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD211B

Operate blow moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD212B

Operate thermoforming equipment

add topic PMBPROD213B

Operate extruders

add topic PMBPROD216B

Operate blown film equipment

add topic PMBPROD217B

Operate printing equipment

add topic PMBPROD221B

Operate rotational moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD229B

Operate polystyrene shape moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD233B

Operate film conversion equipment

add topic PMBPROD235C

Use materials and process knowledge to complete work operations

add topic PMBPROD236C

Operate hand held air/power equipment for production processes

add topic PMBPROD237C

Splice cables

add topic PMBPROD238A

Perform creel rack operations

add topic PMBPROD239A

Build reinforced conveyor belts

add topic PMBPROD240C

Cut materials

add topic PMBPROD241C

Lay up rubber lining or lag pulleys

add topic PMBPROD242A

Bond polymers to surfaces

add topic PMBPROD245C

Fabricate materials

add topic PMBPROD246C

Hand mix materials

add topic PMBPROD247C

Hand lay up composites

add topic PMBPROD248C

Prepare surfaces for coating

add topic PMBPROD249B

Apply liquid surface coatings

add topic PMBPROD251B

Apply gel coat or other polymer surface finish

add topic PMBPROD252C

Operate compounding equipment

add topic PMBPROD253C

Operate an internal mill blender

add topic PMBPROD254C

Operate an open mill blender

add topic PMBPROD255C

Operate mixing equipment

add topic PMBPROD259C

Operate granulating equipment

add topic PMBPROD261B

Operate continuous vulcanising equipment

add topic PMBPROD262B

Operate tyre curing equipment

add topic PMBPROD263B

Operate retread curing equipment

add topic PMBPROD264C

Check recycle wash process

add topic PMBPROD265C

Operate portable vulcanising equipment

add topic PMBPROD266B

Prepare tyre casings for retreading

add topic PMBPROD267B

Operate steel cutting equipment

add topic PMBPROD268B

Operate bead coiling equipment

add topic PMBPROD270B

Operate injection blow moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD280B

Operate resin-glass depositor equipment

add topic PMBPROD281B

Finish composite products

add topic PMBPROD282B

Assemble mould

add topic PMBPROD283B

Demould product

add topic PMBPROD284B

Operate open flame moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD285A

Operate computer controlled equipment

add topic PMBPROD287B

Weld plastics materials

add topic PMBPROD290B

Operate filament winding equipment

add topic PMBPROD291B

Operate resin infusion moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD292B

Operate pultrusion equipment

add topic PMBPROD293B

Operate vacuum bagging equipment

add topic PMBPROD294B

Operate resin transfer moulding equipment

add topic PMBPROD295B

Operate composite sheeting equipment

add topic PMBPROD296B

Operate centrifugal casting equipment

add topic PMBPROD297B

Operate equipment using moulding compounds

add topic PMBPROD298B

Operate equipment using pre-preg material

A maximum of two (2) units of competency may be chosen from the units in Groups A and B of PMB30107 Certificate III in Polymer Processing (at least one of which must be from Group A).

Group B

Unit code

Unit title

Prerequisite

add topic LMTGN2008B

Coordinate work of team/section

add topic MEM13003B

Work safely with industrial chemicals

add topic MEM16006A

Organise and communicate information

add topic MEM16007A

Work with others in a manufacturing, engineering or related environment

add topic MEM16008A

Interact with computing technology

add topic MEM18001C

Use hand tools

add topic MEM18002B

Use power tools/hand held operations

add topic MSS402002A

Sustain process improvements

add topic MSS402020A

Apply quick changeover procedures

add topic MSS402021A

Apply Just in Time procedures

add topic MSS402030A

Apply cost factors to work practices

add topic MSS402040A

Apply 5S procedures

add topic MSS402050A

Monitor process capability

add topic MSS402051A

Apply quality standards

add topic MSS402060A

Use planning software systems in operations

add topic MSS402080A

Undertake root cause analysis

add topic MSAPMOHS100A

Follow OHS procedures

add topic MSAPMOHS110A

Follow emergency response procedures

add topic MSAPMOHS205A

Control minor incidents

add topic MSAPMOHS210B

Undertake first response to non-fire incidents

add topic MSAPMOHS212A

Undertake first response to fire incidents

add topic MSAPMOHS216A

Operate breathing apparatus

add topic MSAPMOHS217A

Gas test atmospheres

add topic MSAPMOHS220A

Provide initial first aid response

add topic MSAPMOPS100A

Use equipment

add topic MSAPMOPS101A

Make measurements

add topic MSAPMOPS102A

Perform tasks to support production

add topic MSAPMPER200C

Work in accordance with an issued permit

add topic MSAPMPER201A

Monitor and control work permits

add topic MSAPMPER205C

Enter confined space

*

add topic MSAPMSUP100A

Apply workplace procedures

add topic MSAPMSUP101A

Clean workplace or equipment

add topic MSAPMSUP102A

Communicate in the workplace

add topic MSAPMSUP106A

Work in a team

add topic MSAPMSUP172A

Identify and minimise environmental hazards

add topic MSAPMSUP200A

Achieve work outcomes

add topic MSAPMSUP201A

Receive or despatch goods

add topic MSAPMSUP204A

Pack products or materials

add topic MSAPMSUP205A

Transfer loads

add topic MSAPMSUP230A

Monitor process operations

add topic MSAPMSUP240A

Undertake minor maintenance

add topic MSAPMSUP273A

Handle goods

add topic MSAPMSUP280A

Manage conflict at work

add topic MSAPMSUP291A

Participate in continuous improvement

add topic MSAPMSUP292A

Sample and test materials and product

add topic PMBHAN103C

Shift materials safely by hand

add topic PMBHAN208C

Store products

add topic PMBWASTE101C

Collect waste for recycling or safe disposal

add topic RIIRIS201B

Conduct local risk control

add topic TLID2010A

Operate a forklift

Up to four (4) relevant units of competency may be chosen from this Training Package, other endorsed Training Packages and accredited courses, where those units are available for inclusion at Certificates II or III.


Pathways...

    Not applicable.


Entry Requirements

Not applicable.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Employability Skill

Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:

Communication

complete logs, reports and plant documentation

access and interpret production plans and information

provide appropriate workplace and technical information

give and follow routine instructions

provide written and oral reports

Teamwork

work as part of a team

identify and describe own role and role of others

identify own role and responsibility within a team

Problem solving

recognise known faults that occur during the operation

identify and take action on causes of routine faults

identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action

respond to routine problems

Initiative and enterprise

suggest improvements

make adjustments to improve equipment performance

determine problems needing action

report problems outside area of responsibility

raise questions regarding requirements and expectations

distinguish between causes of faults

identify product out-of-specification

safely shut down equipment in abnormal circumstances

Planning and organising

plan own work

achieve production targets

identify production targets

recognise hazards and follow appropriate hazard control methods

Self-management

identify work requirements

plan own work requirements from production requests

operate within appropriate time constraints and work standards

select and use appropriate equipment, materials, processes and procedures

identify task outcomes and work role

Learning

ask questions to gain information

seek clarification

participate in improvement procedures

Technology

check process is operating within required limits

monitor equipment operation

monitor operation of processes

use appropriate instruments

use power tools and electrical systems

monitor and adjust machine functions

use forklift controls, instruments and indicators