During 2025–2026,governments reviewed training programs, apprenticeships, qualifications, sponsorship, quality assurance and priorities to lift productivity and reduce public expenditure. Our industry’s Certificate III was among the programs examined.

The reviews produced positive findings about our training arrangements and their future from 2027 with key findings including:

• Businesses using the Certificate III and short courses such as Lean Process Improvement achieved significant productivity and efficiency gains.
• The review supported the new MSF30926 Certificate III, with broader specialisations and skill-set options.‍
• Completion rates are 65%, compared with the 22% national average.
• The program has strong enrolment and completion among women, older learners, people with disabilities and people whose first language is not English.
• Trainers are recognised technical experts, supported by modern training and assessment materials and rigorous quality assurance.
• Industry commitment is demonstrated through the Peter Hartland Scholarship and Safer Spaces program, where final-year apprentices provide window furnishings and security screens for women’s and children’s emergency shelters. Safer Spaces will feature in a National Press Club presentation in 2027.

What is the current status of the Certificate III program?

Despite these findings, Victoria’s late-2025 decision to prioritise TAFE funding and traditional delivery caused short-term disruption. However:

• ‍43 existing apprentices and trainees continue with ITHEA (RTO 22037), using industry-specific materials and familiar trainers.
• ITHEA is enrolling 15 new apprentices and trainees.
• ITHEA is negotiating ongoing registration and recurrent funding for an estimated 120 additional MSF30926 enrolments across Queensland, NSW and Victoria by March 2027.
• The program is also expected to commence in SA and WA in early 2027.
• Training usually slows during the industry’s October–March peak. During this period, we will engage new and established businesses that have registered interest and committed to begin training.

5 additional significant developments…

1. The Queensland Government has confirmed the status of the new qualification MSF30926
2. The National Security Screens Association has confirmed its members’ engagement with the Certificate III
3. RTOITHEA has confirmed its employment of industry trainers, short course programs for the industry and is in liaison with the training regulator re the delivery of MSF30926
4. Businesses in our industry are engaging with Certificate III to meet product and licensing standards
5. Analysis by independent research reveals our industry in 2026 generated national productivity and energy conservation dividends in addition to its revenue of $9.8 billion while its apprentices undertaking Certificate III generated a productivity dividend of just over $1 million

‍Email: enquiries@thefrontlinegroup.com.au

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