Hi All,

I'm in the preocess of completing my TRA application under General Plumber ASCO Code 4431-11 and I have a few questions.

1. How much detail do you put in the application or what level of detail do you go to? I've printed off all the information with regard to all my college training from the examining boards web site. This details each individual element that I have studied...too much info? or is that what they are looking for?

2. My employer who put me through my formal apprenticeship no longer exists! How do I get around this, bearing in mind that this was all in the mid 80's, I was made redundant through lack of work in the early 90's and then spent 13 years in a different profession before coming back to my trade and spending the last 2 years working for myself.

3. How do you cover periods of self employment? I was going to contact customers over the last two years and gain statements and photo's of the work I have been doing. Again is this too much? if not how many would you recommend. Also going to add in copies of advertising, statements from suppliers etc.

I think that's all for now, i'm off to have a bit of a rummage around for all my certificates.

Cheers,


Simon

Hi Simon,

My other half and me recently completed and passed the TRA and we put as much info as possible in there.

Our agent said that the more info you have the better as the assessing bodies like to build a good picture of your working life / experience, she said that "the spoon fed approach" works best.

Hope this helps

Thanks
Donna.

Hi Simon, We had to do this for OH application for a Sheetmetal worker who got his apprenticeship & Gity & Guilds in 1979 - 1983. We put everything on it, and went on for 6 pages. Our agent said that they wanted in detail the first 6 years of his trade. We put everything down in great detail from the actual day to day work and the college info. The agent went through it and gave us sample templates so it was in the style that the TRA like as apparantly they like a strict format.

Good luck and go for it !!

Sara

Hi Simon,

1. Put each and every detail. Printing from a college website is good. However, I would get it certified by the college too. There is nothing called "too much info" with TRA

2. If you have an old employer reference letter, appointment letter, payslip etc. you can back this up with a statutory declaration stating exact dates of employment, working hours, f/time or p/time, your responsibilities with/without supervision, tools & equipments used, contact details of employer/colleagues or a 3rd party reference from your previous job

3. Self employment - letters from customers, registration of your business, if buying equipment - letters/invoices/order forms from suppliers, again a statutory declaration as above, statement from accountant etc.

NOTE: From 1st Sept, General Plumber will be assessed by VETASSESS in United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines.
This assessment is conducted in 3 stages:

Stage1 - A free self-assessment tool that will help you determine if you have the skills required will be available over the web and in print form.

Stage2 - A paper based assessment to review your trade training qualifications and work experience - if these meet the requirements you will proceed to the practical assessment

Stage3 - Practical assessment and technical interview

Hope this information helps!

Cheers,

Thanks for the replies.

Bottom line is more is good. Didn't want to overdo it and them to think that I thought they were idiots!, but definitely will be packing it out with a lot more info.

Cheers,

Simon.

Best advice we were given is that when you write about what you do on a day to day basis you break it down into bullet points and imagine you are talking to someone who hasn't a clue what it is you do.

My husband did on the job apprenticeship and old firm no longer exists we did an affadavit for this period and literally broke down everything he had learn't and how this had been done. Mundane but we passed.

As much info again for self employment with an affadavit at the end state this is the evidence I am including to support this statement. Then put in everything you can. At least 3 references from clients and suppliers, trade cards, pictures of you at work, letter from accountant, self assessment tax documents, NI contributions for self employment. Copies of any advertising you might have ie. yellow pages with invoices etc. All copies to be certified and take a copy for yourself as you need to supply it all over again for visa.
Good luck, remember this is the hardest part.

Yes, the more you put down, the better. My TRA was like an encyclopedia
Still...when i got here to OZ, i still had to prove what i could do, so really speaking it means nothing