RPL for Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping

Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping takes 20 units. Through Recognition of Prior Learning, each unit is assessed on evidence of work you have already done rather than on training you sit through.

What the assessment looks at

Every unit sets out what you must be able to do and what you must know. An assessor works through them one at a time, asking the same question each time: does this person's evidence show they can do this reliably, in a real workplace, recently enough to count?

You can read the full requirements for MEM50622 on the national training register. They are public, and worth a look before you spend anything — if the units describe work you have never done, RPL is not your route.

Evidence worth gathering before you start

• Photos of completed jobs, ideally showing a few stages of the same job, with their original dates intact.
• Job sheets, dockets, work orders or site diaries covering a spread of jobs.
• Supervisors, employers or clients who will confirm specifically what you did.
• Any licences or tickets you already hold.

How the guided process works

You work through the 20 units one at a time, talking about jobs you have actually done. You can speak rather than type. Add photos as you find them, and stop whenever you like — progress saves itself, and most people spread this over weeks while they dig out records. At the end you have an evidence portfolio your RTO's assessor can work through.

What this does not do

It does not assess you, and it cannot promise you MEM50622. An assessor at a registered training organisation makes that decision and may require further evidence or training. What a complete portfolio buys you is a fair assessment rather than a rejection over paperwork.

See what MEM50622 involves →

The 20 units you complete, chosen from these 78

You do not do all 78. Diploma of Engineering - Prototyping is 5 core units, which everyone does, plus 15 chosen from the 73 electives below. Read both lists before you spend anything — it is the fastest way to tell whether RPL is your route. If most of this describes work you have done, you have a case to make. If whole sections describe work you have never touched, an assessor will say so, and doing the course is the honest answer.

Worth knowing: 48 of them have a prerequisite unit, so the order you gather evidence in matters.

Core units — everyone does these

• MEM16006 — Organise and communicate information
• MEM16008 — Interact with computing technology
• MEM30007 — Select common engineering materials
• MEM30012 — Apply mathematical techniques in a manufacturing engineering or related environment
• MSMENV272 — Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Electives — you choose from these

• MEM09155 — Prepare mechanical models for computer-aided engineering (CAE)
• MEM09156 — Prepare mechatronic models for computer-aided engineering (CAE)
• MEM09203 — Measure and sketch site information
• MEM09210 — Create 3D solid models using computer-aided design (CAD) system
• MEM09220 — Apply surface modelling techniques to 3D drawings
• MEM09229 — Read and interpret technical engineering drawings
• MEM11011 — Undertake manual handling
• MEM12003 — Perform precision mechanical measurement
• MEM12023 — Perform engineering measurements
• MEM12024 — Perform computations
• MEM12025 — Use graphical techniques and perform simple statistical computations
• MEM13015 — Work safely and effectively in manufacturing and engineering
• MEM14001 — Schedule material deliveries
• MEM14002 — Undertake basic process planning
• MEM14003 — Undertake production scheduling
• MEM14006 — Plan work activities
• MEM14085 — Apply mechanical engineering analysis techniques
• MEM14086 — Apply mechatronic engineering analysis techniques
• MEM14087 — Apply manufactured product design techniques
• MEM14088 — Apply maintenance engineering techniques to equipment and component repairs and modifications
• MEM14089 — Integrate mechanical fundamentals into an engineering task
• MEM14090 — Integrate mechatronic fundamentals into an engineering task
• MEM14091 — Integrate manufacturing fundamentals into an engineering task
• MEM14092 — Integrate maintenance fundamentals into an engineering task
• MEM15001 — Perform basic statistical quality control
• MEM15007 — Conduct product and/or process capability studies
• MEM15008 — Perform advanced statistical quality control
• MEM16010 — Write reports
• MEM16012 — Interpret technical specifications and manuals
• MEM16014 — Report technical information
• MEM22012 — Coordinate resources for an engineering project or operation
• MEM22013 — Coordinate engineering projects
• MEM22014 — Coordinate engineering-related manufacturing operations
• MEM22015 — Source and estimate engineering materials requirements
• MEM22017 — Coordinate continuous improvement and technical development
• MEM23003 — Operate and program computers and/or controllers in engineering situations
• MEM23004 — Apply technical mathematics
• MEM23063 — Select and organise mechanical engineering material tests
• MEM23109 — Apply engineering mechanics principles
• MEM23111 — Select electrical equipment and components for engineering applications
• MEM23112 — Investigate electrical and electronic controllers in engineering applications
• MEM23123 — Evaluate manufacturing processes
• MEM234020 — Coordinate small lot manufacture using rapid manufacture processes
• MEM234027 — Plan and manage materials supply for an engineering project or manufacturing operation
• MEM234028 — Produce and manage technical documentation
• MEM234029 — Produce and manage technical publications
• MEM234036 — Apply configuration management procedures in engineering project management
• MEM234038 — Apply systems engineering procedures to engineering design project management
• MEM234039 — Provide technical support for prototyping in large engineering and fabrication projects
• MEM234040 — Plan space allocation for large steel based fabrication and construction projects
• MEM234041 — Manage steel supply for major fabrication projects
• MEM29001 — Work in Industry 4.0
• MEM29006 — Use a SCADA system to assist Industry 4.0 operations in manufacturing and engineering
• MEM29012 — Access and use a digital twin for operational purposes
• MEM30031 — Operate computer-aided design (CAD) system to produce basic drawing elements
• MEM30033 — Use computer-aided design (CAD) to create and display 3D models
• MEM48030 — Apply materials selection analysis techniques
• MEM48031 — Select ceramic and glass materials for engineering and manufacturing applications
• MEM48032 — Select composite materials for engineering and manufacturing applications
• MEM48033 — Apply chemistry principles to materials used in manufacturing and engineering processes
• MSMOPS401 — Trial new process or product
• MSS402084 — Undertake root cause analysis
• MSS404056 — Apply statistics to operational processes
• MSS404062 — Facilitate the use of planning software systems in a work area or team
• MSS405025 — Analyse and map a value stream
• MSS405045 — Manage relationships with non-customer external organisations
• MSS405056 — Use three or six sigma processes to determine and improve process capability
• MSS405076 — Facilitate the development of a new product
• MSS405078 — Lead and manage people within competitive systems and practices
• PMBTECH401E — Predict polymer properties and characteristics
• PMBTECH502E — Analyse production trials
• PMBTECH505E — Choose polymer materials for an application
• PMBTECH506E — Analyse the design of products and tools for polymer injection moulding

Each unit breaks down further into elements and performance criteria — the specific things you have to be able to show. The guide works through them one unit at a time and asks about jobs you have actually done, rather than making you read the register yourself.

Related qualifications

Same training package, and a common second choice for people who find this one is not quite their trade:

• Certificate III in Engineering - Electronic Trade (MEM30422, 96 points)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (MEM30219, 96 points)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Production Systems (MEM30119, 96 points)
• Certificate III in Engineering - Technical (MEM30522, 10 units)
• Certificate IV in Advanced Jewellery Manufacture (MEM40322, 132 points)

More RPL in engineering and manufacturing

Every qualification in this industry, which of them have a guide ready, and what assessors here accept as evidence: RPL in engineering and manufacturing.

When you are ready, see what MEM50622 costs and what the guide asks you for, or read what counts as evidence and how RPL compares with doing the course.