Page 8 - Climate Control News November 2018

News
New unit of competency approved for technicians
TRAINING FOR A2/A2L mildly flammable refriger- ants has been officially endorsed by the Victorian Reg- istration & Qualification Authority (VRQA).
The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association (AMCA) said this unit of competency can now be utilised across the nation.
AMCA is currently developing the learning and teaching guides for the entire industry which underpin the competency.
In partnership with Box Hill Institute at the Refrig- eration Climate Control Centre of Excellence (RCCC), the AMCA has been delivering a number of R32 mas- terclasses in partnership with the Airconditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association of Australia (AREMA).
This new unit of competency will provide increased safety for technicians in a growing and changing re- frigerant market. Details on previous R32 and upcom-
ing broader RAC master classes are available by con- tacting the Box Hill Institute's training relationship officer, Ryan Sneddon.
Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) chair, Kevin O'Shea, said the result is a big win for technician safety. “Up until now, there were no training competencies endorsed for mildly flammable refrigerants like R32, creating a growing risk for apprentices and techni- cians who are more and more likely to work with
these refrigerants,” he said.
In 2017, after completing industry consultation, an
application with support letters were submitted to the VRQA for a new unit of competency for the handling of A2/A2L mildly flammable refrigerants.
The title of the new unit is - VU22583 Handle Class A2/A2L Flammable Refrigerants, and will sit within the current course as an elective.
Visithttps://training.gov.au/ ✺
LEFT: The new unit of competency is a big win for technician safety.
BELOW: No training was previously available for mildly flammable refrigerants such as R32 (pictured).
Tips for HVAC contracting success
MORE THAN 40 per cent of small businesses in Australia close within their first three years which might explain why a new book entitled “12 Profit Pillars for HVAC Contractor Success” has become a bestseller on Amazon.
Author of the book, Scott Ritchey, said when he first joined the HVAC industry, he soon discovered his employer was losing money despite taking in $2 million in reve- nue each year.
“The company just didn't understand that mark-up does not equal
margin, and a HVAC business has varying over- heads between its different departments,” he said.
“This lack of business knowledge showed up in their pricing methods, resulting in a two per cent loss in the company's financial performance.”
Ritchey said drastic changes were needed to ensure all jobs were competitively priced while still providing above average net profits. He helped the company see which types of con- struction and service work jobs were the most profitable, instead of simply thinking all jobs were the same. By focusing on the most profita- ble areas Ritchey said the company grew from $2 million per year to $6.5 million per year in a five year period.
This inspired Ritchey to help other contrac- tors. To date, he has worked with 400 companies
assisting them with financial principals that, he says, guarantee HVAC contracting success.
“I have seen too many HVAC businesses fail by not having the financial knowledge they need to succeed,” he said. “My book will give HVAC busi- ness owners the tools to thrive.”
According to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Australia has 2.1 million small businesses. The biggest challenges faced by small business are financing difficulties, higher costs, volatile cash flow and vulnerability to local economic conditions. Half of new one-person busi- nesses and 30–40% of other small businesses fail within their first three years, and even existing smallbusinessescanstillgounder. ✺
The cover of Scott Ritchey’s best-selling book.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
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