Your Questions Answered
Find answers to common questions about our trade testing services and processes.
FAQs
What is Trade-Test?
Trade-Test Philippines specializes in independent trade assessments. We evaluate candidates’ skills and knowledge to ensure they meet employer standards. Our focus is solely on skill verification, not recruitment.
How do assessment work?
Our assessments include both written and practical tests tailored to specific trades. Candidates are evaluated based on their performance in real-world scenarios. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of their skills.
Who conduct the tests?
Our tests are conducted by experienced professionals with extensive industry knowledge. They ensure that the evaluation process is unbiased and thorough. This guarantees that only the most qualified candidates are recommended.
What industry do you serve?
We serve various industries including construction, mining, oil, and gas. Our assessments cover a wide range of trades such as machinery operators & maintainers, welders, electricians, and civil carpenters. This broad scope allows us to meet diverse client needs.
What is the advantage in doing practical and theoretical trade skills assessments for Filipino workers?
The emigration processing costs (recruitment trip/s, medicals, working visa’s, flights, in-house training) to get your new employees into the “Driver’s seat” are substantial. You do not want to find out that they can only drive automatics, when they have told you in face-2-face interviews that they have years of experience driving trucks with 10-14 speed Hi/LO range transmissions.
When we conduct a “Truck Driver” assessment for Tractor units & 40ft trailer types, with a group of 30 candidates we typically find about 10 have absolutely no idea how to “double clutch” with a Hi/Low range transmission. We generally halt their assessment as we know they will score low amongst their group, to avoid any damage to the equipment. Many fleets are automatic, but the skill to drive dual range transmissions gives your company greater flexibility and higher skills with your emigrant driver group. We find there are some drivers who cannot competently reverse around a 90-degree corner into a loading bay scenario.
For all Diesel type Mechanics, we have timed/recorded engine block tasks that requires rotation to #1 TDC and setting of inlet & outlet valve clearances (0.25 & 0.35mm) with spanner, screwdriver, and feeler gauges. The highest skilled Mechanics can complete these tasks in 2-3 minutes, with those taking 6-10 minutes showing their lack of experience. Some clients have identified candidates as “Gold level” and top of their list, and then we find in our assessment that they cannot complete the above basic tasks. We can provide copies of our Test sheets so that you have a better understanding of our assessment content.
If you need experienced Pipe Welders who can weld to ASME IX standard in carbon & duplex steels from day 1, practical pipe welding assessments gives you the opportunity to find the highest skilled amongst your selected group. With “fully Argon purged” 2”/50mm 304 or 316 stainless pipe TIG welding, we utilize down-hole inspection mirrors to check full penetration on root, and we photograph all stages of Root run/build-up run/capping run at the 12/3/6/9 o’clock positions. We supply clients with photo folders (12-15 pics) of all welders scoring above 50%, for reference during selection after returning to their home base countries.
How long does the typical assessment module day take to complete?
We typically start between 7:30 – 8:30am depending on numbers being assessed, and we can be completed all assessing by 2pm with 10 candidates, or 5:00 – 5:30pm in the 20-30 candidate range. The numbers of possible candidates vary according to the trade type. With Truck Drivers we can handle up to 70 candidates/day using 2 x tractor & trailer units. Welders & Fabricators we can assess up to 30/day, and Diesel type Mechanics we can assess up to 20 Mechanics/day. We can handle about 25-30 Civil carpenters and/or Roofers per day.
How many trade candidates should we be practically assessing?
If you are seeking 3-6 emigration candidate’s we recommend an assessment group of 10-12, from your probable interview group of 25-30 candidates. If you are looking for 15-20 emigration candidate’s then an assessment group of 45-60 typically applies from your probable first stage interview group of 100-150 candidates. We tend to assess more Machinery Operators in a group compared to “hands-on” trade types, as the assessment cycle time/candidate is quicker.
How many weeks notification do we need to schedule an assessment module with TTP?
We like our clients to give us 6-8 weeks advance notice of their intended travel schedule and their intended interviewing period. We cater to many different arrangements for clients and their interviewing strategy, and how they determine who will be practically assessed. This period gives us time to custom design the content of each trade type you want to assess.
How many trade skill types can we assess in one visit for assessments?
As many as can practically be included, according to the clients scheduled number of days in the Philippines.
Clients for Oil & Gas fabrication and maintenance typically want the following trade types
- ASME IX coded level Welders for carbon steel & duplex metals
- Pipe fabricators
- Plate Welders with marking out & assembly skills
Clients for Engineering fabrication & maintenance typically want the following trades
- Plate Welders with marking out & assembly skills
- Pipe Welders with Pipe fabrication skills
- Mechanical Fitters with transmission/bearings/alignment skills
International Mining companies usually want the following trades assessments
- Heavy Equipment Mechanics
- Auto-electrical Technicians
Large Freight companies usually want the following trade types
- Tractor Unit Drivers with 40ft trailer experience
- Truck Mechanics
- Auto-electrical Technicians
Recycling industry companies usually want the following trade types
- Truck Mechanics
- Forklift Operators
- Auto-electrical Technicians
- Oxy-Acetylene & Plasma cutting skills
How can we check candidate’s skills against a National Certificate standard?
We customise assessment modules to client’s exact specifications, so that they meet the requirements of any national or international certification process that they must be able to achieve when they arrive in the client’s country. However, it is not possible for us to issue a comparable Certificate or License, as the Philippine training & accreditation systems do not match internationally recognized standards. This is why pre-tour discussions (email-outlook-WhatsApp) between TTP/Manila agencies/client are critical to design/format your assessment modules to your equivalent national standards. We research your national requirements within the 6-8 weeks, and draft and revise our modules with your advice. Examples below:
- Welding standards (AS/NZ 1554, ASME IX, API 650, custom/project weld specs)
- National Electrical certification requirements- mandatory First Aid & CPR
- Truck, Bus, Forklift, & Crane Operator License’s in your national & international systems
What information do we need to provide to Trade-Test Philippines for assessment module compilation?
- Any specific company procedures (SOP’s, SWP’s)
- Any English language written literacy and speaking requirements
- Road Rules for national license driving tests, both theory & practical components
- Estimate of Mathematics capability level- e.g., Civil Carpenters- Area of concrete pour
- Applicable welding standards as required
- Electrical certification requirements
How can I get started?
To get started, simply reach out through our contact form. Our team will guide you through the process and answer any questions. We’re here to help you ensure the best hiring decisions.
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