Page 11 - Climate Control News May 2021

Changes to Victorian licensing from 2023
REFRIGERATION AND AIR conditioning (RAC) technicians in Victoria will need to under- take additional training as part of new licensing requirements to be introduced from 2023.
Victorian refrigeration and air conditioning technicians holding a restricted electrical li- cence (REL) will have to complete continuing professional development (CPD) before they can renew their licence.
The CPD program will be made up of two components – skills maintenance and skills de- velopment. However, holders of REL will only be required to complete the skills maintenance component.
ESV has provided the following information about the skills maintenance components:
Skills maintenance training will be a face-to- face refresher course of up to a maximum of hours (per licence class);
Refresher training will ensure licence holders are
Training must be completed before technicians can renew their licence.
up to date with safety, regulatory, technical and other developments relevant to the electrical trade; Energy Safe Victoria (ESV) expects to provide training in multiple locations across metro and
regional Victoria.
The CPD program will be rolled out in stages
with the skills maintenance courses available from 2022. By 2023 applicants for renewals must have completed the skills maintenance course.
ESV said training is necessary because the electrical services industry is technically com- plex, sometimes hazardous and is also subject to regulatory changes.
“Under the new CPD program, licensed elec- trical workers will participate in training to en- sure they maintain and extend their professional
knowledge and skills, including keeping up to date with safety, regulatory and technical devel- opments relevant to the industry,” ESV said.
“Working groups, made up of industry and edu- cation subject matter experts, will be formed in 2021 to oversee the training content development.”
HVAC contractor, Liam Henry, said the licensing burden in Victoria is making it harder to operate.
“I need three licenses in that state just to oper- ate,” he said.
Henry’s licensing requirements includes a D grade class 2 electric licence as well as a VBA plumbing licence and an Australian Refrigera- tion Council (ARC) licence.
“As well as paying for licensing renewals I have to cover the cost of insurance,” he said. ✺
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