Description

This qualification covers the skills and knowledge required to perform a range of laboratory techniques to conduct tests and sampling in a variety of industry sectors.

Job roles/employment outcomes
The Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques offers technical training in laboratory techniques across a range of industries. Employment outcomes targeted by this qualification include technical assistants, technicians, instrument operators and similar personnel.

Technical assistants undertake a wide range of sampling and testing that requires the application of a broad range of technical skills and some scientific knowledge. Although technical assistants generally work in a laboratory, they often work closely with other personnel throughout the workplace and with suppliers. They may assist other personnel to solve technical problems and to adjust formulations and production mixes. They may also train them to collect samples and conduct basic tests reliably.

The work of technical assistants involves similar tasks within one scientific discipline with occasional peak periods and some interruptions. They:
work according to established procedures in a structured environment
collect and prepare samples
conduct a wide range of basic tests and a limited range of specialised tests and measurements using manual, semi-automated and fully automated techniques
define and solve problems of limited complexity where the information available is less obvious, but not contradictory, and can be determined by direct reasoning
work under the direction and regular supervision of senior technical staff, laboratory or quality managers, or scientific/medical personnel. The work of technical assistants is normally subject to frequent progress and quality checks
generally work in a team and may have responsibility for their own work outputs.

An example of the work of technical assistants is given below.
A technical assistant who works in a mineral preparation plant receives and logs incoming ore samples and operates handling equipment to move samples to treatment points. In the laboratory, the assistant conducts routine chemical and physical tests and redirects other sub-samples for specialised analyses.

Application
This qualification is typically used to prepare new employees or develop the skills of existing workers performing a technical assistant role in a variety of industry sectors.

This qualification recognises that some industry sectors employ technicians who have broad technical-scientific knowledge and skills, but without substantial depth in one specialisation as provided by the Diploma of Laboratory Technology. This qualification also addresses the concerns of industry representatives who stated that a gap between the Certificate III and Diploma in the Qualifications Framework could represent a barrier to career progression in some sectors.

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.