Pride in the profession

The refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry is critical to modern life and has a profound impact on the community.

Few industries have such a large influence on everyday life than the RAC industry. Just think, a blood transfusion or surgery cannot be performed without the work of a refrigeration technician, not to mention the importance of technicians to other industries like the fresh food industry and scientific research.

Environmental success - RAC industry scheme members have increased the level of skills in the RAC industry across the nation and have contributed significantly to the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 24.37 megatonnes of CO2 since the scheme’s inception. This speaks volumes for the RAC industry as a whole, and the influence of the licence scheme. In addition, the Australian Government’s ‘State of the Environment Report’ released in March 2017 highlighted continued improvements in the ozone layer above the Antarctic as a result of controls on the use of ozone depleting substances. These results have had a direct impact on improving human health and lifestyle and the RAC industry ought to be proud of these achievements.

Good regulation - The Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Regulations 1995 establish the licensing scheme that is administered by the Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC). The scheme provides a framework which has driven the level of skill in the industry up, whilst ensuring the right players are in the game. In the 2015/16 financial year, 74 licences were not renewed due to lack of compliance. With over 87,000 licence holders Australia-wide, 74 is a small but important number.

While the high level policy drivers for state-based occupational licence schemes (WHS and consumer protection) and the RAC permit scheme (environmental) are different, in practice (or on the ground), both schemes result in controls on work practices. It is through compliant technicians and standards on work practices that the licence scheme achieves its goal of reducing refrigerant greenhouse gas emissions.

Industry partnerships - One key to the success of the licence scheme has been the way in which the Government, ARC and industry have been able to partner. The ARC’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Board is made up of representatives from mainstream industry, who guide the ARC and advise the Government on issues related to the scheme – a scheme which has technicians at its heart. The ARC takes pride in the RAC profession and licensed technicians.

Business building - The ARC seeks to add value to the RAC Industry by helping technicians promote their business as being environmentally responsible. We promote and actively encourage customers to use licensed businesses. ARC advertising attracted over 100,000 people to visit the licensed business directory website www.lookforthetick.com.au over summer. In addition, the recently launched RAC industry careers video promotes the licensed industry as the best option and encourages smart, passionate and hard-working school leavers to join the industry. Check out the video at www.arcltd.org.au/careers. All these initiatives and success should help the industry be recognised for the substantial and positive impact it has on modern society.

Back to newsletter