The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) industry is seeking greater recognition as a standalone trade with its own unique set of skills with greater representation across Australia's Vocational Education and Training (VET) system.
In a submission to the federal government, the Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) has called for the establishment of a HVACR industry reference committee.
Currently HVACR is part of the Electrotechnology reference committee which represents electricians as well as HVACR.
ARMA CEO, Kim Limburg, said HVACR continues to be under-represented in the VET system with key decisions often made by peripheral trades.
“It is imperative for HVACR to be recognised as a standalone trade with its own specialist skills and needs,” she said.
“Now is the time to act as the federal government is currently reviewing the entire VET framework.”
The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) is reviewing Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to ensure the structure and membership of each committee provides the best possible industry coverage and expertise to support the development of training packages for each industry sector.
AISC chair, John Pollaers, said the goal is to ensure that training packages are more responsive to the needs of industry.
He said it is important for the new “industry-led arrangements” to be bedded down quickly and that consultation with industry will remain a priority.
Industry input on structure and membership of the Electrotechnology IRC closed on September 16, 2016 with a final decision and announcement likely in the first quarter of 2017.
The Electrotechnology IRC is responsible for the UEE11 Electrotechnology training package including the installation, servicing and repair of electrical equipment, control systems, instrumentation, RAC, fire and security.
The IRC will work to develop a comprehensive training package that will be part of a four year plan.
A spokesperson for the Federal Department of Education and Training said that as part of the current review the government will consider the needs of the RAC industry but pointed out that the HVACR industry accounted for 15 per cent of the units of competency within the Electrotechnology Training Package.
“The AISC will consider all industry feedback that has been received by industry before making a final decision,” the spokesperson said.
The AISC was established by the COAG Industry and Skills Council in May 2015 to give industry a formal, expanded role in policy direction and decision-making.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, said the current review is an important opportunity to improve the transparency and efficiency of VET.
“We also need to position our VET system to respond to changing technology and work with employers to ensure we continue to meet the evolving skills needs of business and industry,” she said.