Setting the Standard
Setting the Standard
ARC participates in a number of technical groups, training committees and conducts stakeholder engagement activities on behalf of the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Please see below for an update on recent ARC activities:
RAC training updates
The Electrotechnology Training Package was revised and released in October 2020 and is available by clicking here. This includes the Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration trade qualification and other HVAC&R qualifications, from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma, as well as natural refrigerant skill sets.
The Electrotechnology Industry Reference Committee (IRC) is currently finalising new units of competency and skill sets to meet industry and/or regulatory requirements covering:
More details about the IRC, these current projects, and skills forecast are available here.
On 26 March, the IRC conducted a Stakeholder Consultation webinar with over 100 participants on the current priorities for our industry and to gain feedback on proposed changes to support a strong workforce. The webinar can be viewed by clicking here
The ARC is represented on the Electrotechnology IRC by its Technical and Training Manager, Noel Munkman. The IRC provides advice to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) about the skill needs of the Electrotechnology industry sector, which includes HVAC&R, to ensure national training packages meet the needs of employers, employees, training providers and people seeking training qualifications.
Auto air con training updates
In August 2020, the AUR Automotive Retail, Service and Repair Training Package, Release 6.0 was endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) and released in November 2020.
The major changes relevant to automotive air conditioning are:
More details about the Automotive Light Vehicle Industry Reference Committee (IRC) are available here.
The ARC is represented on the Automotive Light Vehicle IRC by its Compliance and Training Manager, Rod Cumming. This IRC provides advice to the AISC about the skill needs of the Automotive Light Vehicle industry sector, which includes Automotive Air Conditioning, to ensure national training packages meet the needs and concerns of employers, employees, training providers and people seeking training qualifications.
National Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Training Alliance (RAC TA)
The RAC TA is a group of over 70 refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) teachers from nearly all public (TAFE) and private Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) in every State/Territory, as well as the ARC, Refrigerant Reclaim Australia and other HVAC&R organisations. It was established in 2016 to share training, delivery and assessment advice, materials and resources, liaise with industry organisations and provide constructive input and feedback on training issues affecting the HVAC&R industry.
It usually meets twice per year, but due to COVID-19 restrictions it did not meet in 2020. However, it will be conducting its next meeting on 10-11th May at Beijer Ref’s new manufacturing facility at Milperra, Sydney.
For more information contact either:
Paul Wright - E: Paul.Wright@cit.act.edu.au M: 0427 505 737
Steve Smith - E: steve@stc.nsw.edu.au M: 0402 132 903
ARC and WorldSkills partnership - supporting the fridgies of the future
The ARC recently signed an Industry Partnership agreement with WorldSkills Australia National Championships & Skills Show 2021 which will be held in Perth WA on 26 to 28 August 2021.
WorldSkills Australia promotes and builds a skills culture, celebrates excellence and showcases vocational education and training, trades and apprenticeships. It focuses on fostering career pathways for young people and empowering them to become successful global citizens.
The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning national competition, which brings together the Regional competition winners from around Australia, is usually held as part of the ARBS Exhibition, but as it has been postponed until 27-29 April 2022, this competition will be part of the WorldSkills Australia National Championships 2021 at the Carlisle Campus of South Metropolitan TAFE WA. More information is available here.
The winner of the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning National Competition may be selected to represent Australia at the next WorldSkills International Competition against over 25 countries, which is planned to be held in Shanghai, China on 12-17 October 2022.
The ARC’s Technical and Training Manager, Noel Munkman, has been appointed by WorldSkills International as the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Skill Competition Manager responsible for designing and organising the competition’s test project, assessment and materials