Page 27 - Climate Control News Aug-Sep 2020
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     Forging strong links with VET
THE REFRIGERATION AND Air Conditioning (RAC) industry has always maintained strong partnerships with the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
The annual RAC teachers meeting, which has participants from across the country, is spon- sored by suppliers and organisations such as Re- frigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA).
To promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), industry has worked closely with schools and TAFE.
This relationship brings real-world relevance into lessons and enables students to see the rel- evance of STEM subjects.
Earlier this year RRA and TAFE created a se- ries of new digital training resources for students undertaking the Certificate III Air Conditioning and Refrigeration course.
RRA CEO, Kylie Farrelley, said the resources include a series of training videos and an aug- mented reality (AR) Refrigerant Recovery training app.
She said the resources have been specially de- veloped by RRA and TAFE to provide an innova- tive and hands-on way to for apprentices to un- derstand the refrigerant recovery processes for different types of equipment.
“The processes for recovering refrigerant, pres- sure testing, evacuating and re-charging systems are critical for both upholding industry best prac- tice and reducing the emission of ozone depleting
and high GWP refrigerant gases,” Farrelly said. “With each type of system requiring a dif- ferent recovery process, training new appren- tices on all systems can be challenging, espe- cially with budget constraints and rapidly
evolving technology.”
Farrelley said the Cert III course is essential
for the industry as it provides apprentices with the skills to become qualified air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics.
“The training video series is a set of three short videos, each explaining a different aspect of the recovery process,” she said.
“The first video explains the environmental damage refrigerants can cause if emitted to at- mosphere, and what global actions have, and are, being taken to reduce the impacts.
“THE TRAINING VIDEO SERIES IS A SET OF THREE SHORT VIDEOS, EACH EXPLAINING A DIFFERENT ASPECT OF THE RECOVERY PROCESS.”
- RRA CEO, KYLIE FARRELLEY.
“The second video describes how refrigerant in systems at end-of-life can be a valuable re- source, and how RRA provides a rebate for re- turned unwanted or contaminated refrigerant.
“The final video wraps up the process, describing how recovered refrigerant is safe- ly disposed of using the argon plasma-arc process.”
The video series is available for download at the RRA website. www.refrigerantreclaim.com. au/educational-tools/
The Refrigerant Recovery AR app, is expected to be an indispensable resource for TAFE and the industry, providing apprentices with a com- prehensive and interactive learning platform.
Farrelley said the app works on all smart- phones and tablets that support augment- ed reality.
RRA will also be launching the desktop version that can be used on all modern PC’s and Mac’s.
“The app allows apprentices to fully under- stand the recovery process for split system air conditioners, vehicle air conditioners and indus- trial refrigeration systems,” she said.
“The app can be easily modified to include different types of equipment as new technolo- gies emerge.”
Using the app, apprentices select a system and watch a detailed walkthrough before undertak- ing the process themselves through an interac- tive AR experience.
By training with this modern-day tool, ap- prentices have a realistic experience of the pro- cess without the confines of the classroom, and the freedom to make errors without compromis- ing safety.
Apprentices are even asked to select the vir- tual tools and protective personal equipment re- quired for the process before beginning.
The app also includes a ‘Visualisation’ button.
Today’s apprentices have access to more digital training resources.
  UPSKILLING THE TRADE
 The Digital Transformation Expert Panel has been formed to provide advice on how Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system can most effectively respond to digital change underway across industry and its impact on the nation’s workforce.
It will report to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee in November 2020.
With the global pandemic accelerating existing trends in digital transformation, the VET sector has a vital role to play in supporting Australian industry and the nation’s workforce.
Find out more about the Panel’s work visit: www.digitalskillsformation.org.au
With online training apprentices have the freedom to make errors without compromising safety.
         CLIMATE CONTROL NEWS AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020
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