Page 40 - Climate Control News - July 2018

Exploring workplace realities for a 21st century technician
TODAY’S TRAINING REGIME FOR APPRENTICES IS MORE DEMANDING THAN EVER WITH STUDENTS CRAMMED WITH INFORMATION COVERING EVERY ASPECT OF THE TRADE.
THIS is the despite the fact that most ap- prentices today are working on a limited range of equipment.
Speaking at a session on the Modern Techni- cian at ARBS 2018, Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) training manager, Noel Munk- man, said that instead of working on a range of systems, apprentices may only work on chillers or air conditioning.
“This is because the industry is becoming more specialised,” he said. And it certainly isn’t getting any easier with an ever growing mix of new refrig- erant types, components and controls.
“Apprentices need a good understanding of the core skills of the trade.”
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Munkman is actively involved in the current training review to ensure Cert III is meeting the needs of industry.
“We are trying to create a new template but the process has stalled because industry cannot reach a consensus,” he said.
“Industry is also in need of more post-trade training pathways.”
Head RAC teacher at Sydney West TAFE, Ste- phen Smith, said small business operators em- ploy the largest number of apprentices but usu- ally specialise in a small segment of the market.
“This is why apprentices are forced to work in one small area of the industry like residential air conditioning,” he said.
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“Out of 400 students I only have seven work- ing in commercial refrigeration.”
Smith went on to talk about the phenomenal drop-out rate for apprentices.
“I believe the trade is in jeopardy, I don’t know where the workforce of the future will come from,” he said.
“Apprentices continue to be in rapid decline partly because apprenticeships are no longer valued.”
AMCA executive manager of training and de- velopment, Laura Steedman, presented research showing that in the last 12 months 71 per cent of employers struggled to recruit technicians.
“This is why industry needs to act now,” she said.
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40 CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
1. TheARBSSpeakerSeriesprovidesattendeeswiththelatestindustry news, regulatory updates and trends shaping the industry.
2. Barangaroo South is a landmark development with ARBS attendees given an opportunity to tour the cooling plant. The prestigious precinct on the shores of Darling Harbour is one of the 18 projects globally to be a part of the Clinton Climate Initiative’s C40 carbon positive development program. A significant contributor to achieving the carbon positive goal is the district cooling system that provides chilled water to all types of building within the development.
3. Thenewtechnologyhuballowedeveryonetoenjoyahands-on virtual reality experience.