Page 31 - Climate Control News July 2019

Contracting
New centre of excellence
to secure future of HVAC trade
THE NEW HVAC Centre of Excellence at Holm- esglen’s Chadstone campus in Melbourne was officially opened by the Victorian Skills Com- missioner, Neil Coulson, last month.
Some 100 guests from HVAC and associated industries attended the event which is a collabo- rative partnership between Holmesglen TAFE and the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Con- tractors’ Association (AMCA).
The Centre is the first ever HVAC training cen- tre to offer applied learning and features cutting- edge equipment and technology.
The purpose-fit, modern facility will upskill existing climate control technicians and train to- morrow’s mechanical services professionals, both in Australia and internationally. It will pro- vide leadership across the vocational education and training sector and drive mechanical servic- es training in Victoria.
In his speech, Coulson acknowledged the im- portance of collaboration between education providers and industry to secure the future pros-
Victorian Skills Commissioner, Neil Coulson
perity of the trades.
“As the Victorian Skills
Commissioner, my role is to work with industry stakehold- ers and government to better align training with the needs of Victorian industry and the economy. And, as I see it, gen- uine collaboration between training providers and indus-
try which is based on industry intelligence and the exchange of ideas, is key to achieving this alignment,” he said.
“I see this Centre as an example of doing it right. It is an arrangement that effectively leverages the expertise and mission of each of the parties.”
“Your collaboration will be a powerful force in future-proofing the HVAC industry and is an ex- ample to which other industries can aspire.”
AMCA Victoria president, Alex Hall, said the HVAC industry is rapidly advancing and conse- quently the skills required by new entrants and qualified tradespersons is changing.
“AMCA is committed to developing and grow-
L-R: Ross Digby, Dean, Holmesglen Faculty of Building and Construction, Alex Hall, President AMCA Victoria,
Dr Collette Burke, Victorian Chief Engineer, and Neil Coulson, Victorian Skills Commissioner.
ing partnership arrangements with TAFEs to ad- dress these challenges,” Hall said.
AMCA national president, Russell Telford, re- iterated Hall’s message that AMCA engagement with the VET sector is its overriding principle.
Telford said there are three key themes to in- dustry and VET collaboration to secure the in- dustry’s future prosperity.
“Firstly, to establish a culture of co-investment between VET, industry and government. Sec- ondly, renewing the focus of quality industry-led outcomes. Thirdly, elevating the status of ap- prenticeships by communicating how it will lead to a sustainable career pathway,” he said. ✺
CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS JULY 2019
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