Page 16 - Climate Control News March 2020

In Focus
AIR CONDITIONING & MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (AMCA) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SUMIT OBEROI, EXPLAINS THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY TRAINING TO STRENGTHEN THE TRADE.
AMCA acts to future-proof our industry
AS HVAC SYSTEMS become more sophisti- cated, technologically advanced and environ- mentally efficient, the mechanical plumbing in- dustry requires skilled workers to design, install, repair and maintain them.
Rapid industry growth due to a construction boom, combined with an ageing workforce and the changing landscape of the industry, has re- sulted in a significant skills shortage in the in- dustry. It is important, now more than ever, to attract, train and retain young apprentices to future-proof the industry.
It is essential that industry responds to the current environment by upskilling existing tech- nicians and training tomorrow’s mechanical ser- vices professionals.
AMCA, in partnership with Holmesglen and with input and support from HVAC businesses and the Victorian Government, has responded to these training needs by establishing the HVAC Centre of Excellence at Holmesglen’s Chadstone campus.
The Centre is unique and an important train- ing facility through its simulation and replica- tion of entire systems found in today’s buildings.
Students work on equipment in a realistic envi- ronment and are shown a wide range of set ups reflective of modern HVAC installs.
Through exposure to a ‘live’ system, the Cen- tre builds students’ skills quickly in what would take years in the workplace. Integrating the lat- est technologies such as energy efficiency sys- tems and BIM software, the Centre is a site that is designed and built by industry and is reflective of contemporary industry practices.
As an HVAC professional’s career progresses, the Centre progresses with them by offering on- going professional development in specialised courses. A focus of professional development is the Centre’s Balancing and Commissioning course, allowing students to go on to gain NEBB certification. The HVAC Centre of Excellence is the only applied balancing and commissioning learning centre in the world to our knowledge.
Exposure to a simulated centre allows stu- dents to learn all the skills required for balanc- ing and commissioning without the need for shutting down live HVAC systems in buildings for training. ✺
REPRESENTING THE SUNSHINE STATE
Meet NextGen Nominee, Lachlan Drewes, a 4th year apprentice at System Air on the Gold Coast, Queensland.
The 20-year-old was nominated for NextGen by his employer, System Air, which has offices in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Drewes enjoys being a RAC technician because the role is so varied and interesting.
“It is the best trade by far because it incorporates everything, a bit of plumbing, electrical trades and HVAC,” he said.
“My day includes regular maintenance duties, breakdowns, and the opportunity to work on a wide variety of equipment from high wall splits to VRV, DX packaged units, refrigeration and hydronic systems.
“This is a trade that can take you anywhere because it’s so broad.
“The biggest challenge with this trade is visibility but once you know about it and realise how interesting it is, there are plenty of opportunities.”
But that is exactly what NextGen is all about, raising the profile of the RAC trade and attracting more apprentices.
“I was lucky because I lived across the road from someone already in the trade and they offered me an apprenticeship straight out of school,” Drewes said.
Have you nominated yet? Don’t miss out. To nominate or to find out how NextGen works go to www.climatecontrolnews.com. au/nextgen
Apprentices are desperately needed to future-proof our industry.
ABOVE: Ashmore TAFE, Gold Coast.
CLIMATECONTROLNEWS.COM.AU
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