12
Associations
gas fields ( other than refrigerants ). “ Matriculants or school leavers can also find a job with one of the industry employers , and with subsequent experience and training through their relevant association can get officially qualified in a specific gas industry .
“ There are a number of technical schools and colleges where matriculants can get exposure to certain of these industries such as gas or refrigeration , just as with plumbing or electrical ,” says Cooke .
He recommends interested people visit the SAQCC website for the minimum requirements .
In tandem with the energy crisis in South Africa and more people switching to using alternatives such as solar and gas , Cooke suggested this will logically increase gas job opportunities and demand for training and competency . “ Some of our associations have already experienced a higher demand for training and to get qualified in this industry , especially in the LP gas household sector – rather more so than the refrigerant sector .” However , Parry pointed out that refrigerants also start playing a role where residential complexes are built by developers with limited Eskom supply and seek energy efficient hybrid solutions . These include alternatives such as heat pumps , which are essentially air conditioners which also provide heating of water , adds Parry .
Cook points out that SAQCC Gas looks at all gases equally , including gases in the medical or welding sectors , which fall under the Compressed Gas Association .
LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT A LICENCE The entire purpose of the association is to prevent anything from ever going wrong , says Cooke . “ One of our roles is to lobby that the gas industry is a safe industry – if gas is installed in compliance with standards by a competent , registered installer . When consumers or businesses accept a gas installation without being given a CoC I would say it ’ s the same as driving a car without a license .”
Parry cautions that it ' s the users and installers who cause gas problems – including with refrigerants . “ If you abuse the pressures involved , you could get injured . When an ammonia installation is not maintained or installed properly , it can cause fatalities . That ' s all part of the training supplied through SARACCA – to instil the understanding that it ' s not the gases at fault , but the technicians . Training is all about health , safety , and pressure – how to look after yourself and your client ,” says Parry .
“ Some of our associations have already experienced a higher demand for training .”
“ The safe handling courses are developed by the association . For instance , on the refrigerant side we get ACRA heavily involved , and it is approved by QCTO . There are many standards for the gas practitioners ’ courses , for apprenticeships and more . SARACCA is involved from beginning to end .”
UNIT STANDARDS Cooke says , “ A lot of modules in the different gas sectors were developed in the early 2000s under the old NQF system and are now seen as historic educational modules . However , a lot of those materials have long been used by the associations , alongside other guidelines widely used by multinational companies as best international practices . Many of South Africa ’ s training courses come from these multinational companies . Another source of training is the mandatory standards recognised in the country and which form part of regulations . The associations train practitioners based on those compliance standards .”
These include manufacturing standards , equipment standards , and process standards which the installers don ' t necessarily get involved with when installing a system . Cooke points out that equipment comes with all the standards already incorporated within them .
Parry adds , “ With refrigerant practitioners , it is module based with about twelve modules of two- to three-weeks duration each , with learners alternating between the employer and the college . This requires about six months in total throughout the apprenticeship at the college and the remainder getting practical experience in the field with an employer . After a minimum of two to two and a half years , the apprentice can apply to do the trade test , and if found to be competent they can become a gas practitioner – but will still need to do the course for SAQCC Gas .
“ We encourage employers to employ apprentices and train them , because there is a shortage of qualified gas practitioners ,” says Parry . He acknowledges that employers can get frustrated at getting employees to qualify , only for them to leave and work for somebody else .
The flip side of that , he argues , is that if everybody employed and trained apprenticeships they wouldn ' t feel the need to switch jobs . “ Apprenticeships require an investment by employers because they have to have the right workshop facilities to complete an apprenticeship , but poaching of qualified staff is a common feature of a free market – not just in the gas industry ,” says Parry .
Cooke adds , “ At other associations , a lot of their training is broken up according to the industry requirements of domestic , commercial , and industrial installations . A practitioner would have to get qualified and move through each from the bottom up . There ’ s also a lot of specialised training for instance in the medical or industrial sectors .”
12
RACA Journal I August 2023 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za