Shecco publication, Accelerate Australia & NZ, have published a feature article on natural refrigerants and interviews with Australian and New Zealand HVAC&R industry associations.
The article contained interviews from the Australian Refrigeration Mechanics Association (ARMA) President Kim Limburg, Australian Refrigeration Association (ARA) President Tim Edwards, AIRAH Executive Manager Phil Wilkinson, New Zealand’s Climate Control Companies Association (CCCA) Chair Matthew Darby, ARC CEO Glenn Evans and RACCA Australia President Kevin O’Shea.
The article states that the interviews are part of a discussion on “how to overcome some of the barriers for natural refrigerants including training, safety, regulation and licensing.” The article touched on topics such as key areas of collaboration needed in the industry, the associations’ position on the levels of quality training and the associations’ work on raising awareness of the transition to natural refrigerants.
In regards to collaboration needed in the industry, Limburg emphasised the need to establish a national industry board to ensure the whole industry is represented, while Edwards stated that most of the industry associations agree on the need for nationally consistent, skills-based licensing in the industry. Wilkinson stated that collaboration was needed on a national licensing scheme, refrigerant training and making the industry visible.
Kevin O’Shea stated that RACCA Australia “has no agenda for the type of refrigerant that a member uses, but it is up to our association to make sure members are aware of different practices required in using these refrigerants.” and that RACCA had developed natural refrigerant training manuals with other industry associations and experts.
In regards to training, Wilkinson stated that there is not a culture of re-training those already qualified, Evans stated that ARC has formed a working group on training quality to analyse training issues and Darby stated it is up to the associations’ to help upskill the industry.
Kevin O’Shea stated that RACCA sees the competence of technicians as a drawback of the growth of ammonia, CO2 and hydrocarbon systems.
“Talking to TAFE teachers across the country, they tell me that the standard of apprentices is very poor. The industry needs to get together and start to attract a better standard of apprentice, we need to make our industry sexier to the younger age group.”
In regards to the transition on natural refrigerants, the associations’ touched on their experiences in organising and increasing training, as well as trying to work with their respective governments.
Kevin O’Shea spoke of RACCA’s projects and partnerships with TAFE NSW as well as state and federal Governments to develop training programs on natural refrigerants.
Accelerate Australia & NZ’s article can be read in full here.
Accelerate’s official website, including links to their publications in the US, Japan and Europe can be found here.