Page 33 - Climate Control News Magazine Feb 2020

NextGen
Australia (RRA) will join us with their VR head- sets which will allow the school children to expe- rience a refrigeration system through virtual re- ality – both RACCA and RRA are really excited about this. The difficult part is getting schools involved as it takes a lot of behind the scenes hard work. RACCA has been in contact with ASHRAE to find out more about their STEM package for K-12 students. The Americans are focusing on younger children, aged around 11 years old and bringing their awareness to STEM which has some material about our industry. We are keeping an eye on this and if worthwhile will try something similar here in Australia. Looking at other industries that are successful in attracting students, some are because of par- ent pressure, some are because the student ei- ther works with equipment or knows about the industry, like computers. Children from an ear- ly age use technology and this familiarity in- spires an inclination to see their career choice involve computers. Hence, our industry can be introduced through STEM at school to bring about awareness of refrigeration and air condi- tioning. The missing link in lifting the profile and attractiveness of our industry is money. As stated earlier, we are competing with industries with deep pockets and as an industry are well behind the eight ball. 2020 will see RACCA try ways to lift our industry profile and hope we can find the key toattractingtherightcalibreofapprentice. ✺
FAR LEFT: When it comes to lifting the profile of HVACR the missing link is money.
LEFT: There has always been skills shortages in this industry.
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS
FEBRUARY 2020
33