Training - RAC Qualification review update

As reported in the July 2014 and April 2015 editions of Cool Change, E-Oz Energy Skills Australia is conducting a major review of its refrigeration and air conditioning trade qualification (UEE32211 Certificate III in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) to ensure it meets the current and future skill needs of Australia's Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry. A wide variety of stakeholders are being consulted including associations, training organisations and government regulators.

In March this year, consultation was also extended to the current refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices, with 490 completing a survey on the types of systems and tasks that they will be required to carry out with their current employer and at the end of their apprenticeship. The results were that:

1. Industry Sectors

  • The majority of the apprentices (56%) were expected by their employer to work on both refrigeration and air conditioning systems
  • A large number of apprentices (38%) only work on air conditioning systems; and
  • A small number of apprentices (6%) only work on refrigeration systems
2. Common Applications
  • The vast majority of the apprentices (over 60%) were expected by their employer to work on split and packaged (unitary) air conditioning systems which include RACs, Split A/C, Packaged A/C and Evaporative Coolers
  • A large majority (over 40%) were expected by their employer to work on cool rooms and freezer rooms, as well as small air conditioning chillers, VRF splits A/C and VAV A/C
Due to the range and number of different applications an apprentice cannot achieve competency in all of them during the term of their apprenticeship. Therefore, they need to gain the Essential Performance Capabilities which cover the core generic skills that are common across all of the applications. For example refrigeration, air conditioning and electrical principles, hand and trade skills, working safely with electricity and all classes of refrigerants, relevant regulatory/licence requirements, etc. Then apply this to install, commission, test, fault find and repair, and maintain a range of both refrigeration and air conditioning applications.

The proposed Certificate III qualification will have a large core set of units so that all apprentices cover:
  • Refrigeration and air conditioning Essential Performance Capabilities, and
  • licensing requirements, and
  • residential and commercial unitary refrigeration and air conditioning applications, and then
  • select from a wide choice of AQF level 3 electives covering a range of other unitary equipment applications, from beverage vending cabinets, small A/C chillers to large single unit cool rooms
The proposed Certificate IV qualification will have the same core as the Certificate III and a choice of AQF level 4 electives covering a range of more complex applications, from large central plant A/C chillers and industrial refrigeration systems. Both will have a nominal apprenticeship term of 4 years or until the relevant competencies are achieved.

The end goal will be for E-Oz Energy Skills Australia to finalise their draft recommendations and submit the revised/new qualification and competency standard units for endorsement by the end of 2015. For further information go to the E-Oz website www.e-oz.com.au and then go to Industry Projects/ Electrotechnology Projects. To comment on the review, email: racreview@e-oz.com.au

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