Events and Exhibitions
16
Every single person working in the air conditioning and refrigeration fields , plus the new entrants will have to be retrained to deal with these factors . Training providers need to be at the forefront of this otherwise that change cannot occur . This new facility aims to achieve the status of a world-class , state of the art training centre that can address any resistance to change with regards to the implementation of natural refrigerants and reduce our impact onto the environment ,” Laidlaw added .
This new facility will also create a benchmark for artisanal training in South Africa while assisting the youth ( and women ) to gain valuable scarce skills and close the unemployment gap . It will further modernise the training experience as well as assessments . Learners will also have the opportunity to gain much needed entrepreneurial skills to enhance their abilities .
The new 5 700-sqm facility that will be positioned on the 30 000-sqm site is situated in a very central location , Midrand , where local government is doing a lot of changes in terms of re-zoning and infrastructure development . Ground breaking is scheduled to take place in January ( 2023 ) with an expected delivery of the centre in just 18 months from then . It is expected that the centre would take over 2000 local students through various courses . The facility is further envisioned that it too will cater to cross-border and international students .
The new training centre will comprise :
• Admin and office spaces
• A fully equipped restaurant
• Double volume training spaces
• 10 classrooms
• CO2 plants
• R290 plants
• Ammonia plant
• Trade test centre – inclusive of CO2 and Ammonia
• 200-person conference centre
• 2 700-sqm fully equipped workshops and assessment areas
• Secure on-site parking
The training , assessment and trade testing will be in line with the new South African ( QCTO ) qualifications that are in line with South Africa ’ s hydrofluorocarbon phase-out management plan ( Department of the Environment Forestry and Fisheries ) and the various applicable regulations inclusive of the pressure vessel regulation . The new qualifications are :
• Refrigeration Mechanic : fluorinated / natural refrigerants , HCs
• Refrigeration Mechanic : Ammonia
• Refrigeration Mechanic : CO2
• Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Trade testing will be conducted in all of the above disciplines as well as associated part-qualifications and will meet all
RACA Journal I January 2023
A 3D model of the new 5700-sqm centre that will be located in Midrand , Johannesburg .
industry , QCTO and the National Artisan Moderating Body ( NAMB ) criteria .
John Parry , SAQCC Gas director and SARACCA representative said , “ This announcement is a fantastic adventure . Uplifting the industry , engaging with contractors , education and training have been our objectives [ as an association ] for 65 years . Things in industries change all the time - refrigerant gases as an example are changing all the time , South African national standards change - and with all these changes training needs to keep up and be tweaked to adapt with a big drive to ensure safety . In the air conditioning and refrigeration game , we work with high pressure components and gases ( sometimes dangerous gases ) - both of which can have devastating effects when used incorrectly . Training provides the necessary skills and the “ how to ” in adhering to safety requirements . Taking from a recent engagement , one comment was ‘ we can ’ t choose the times we live in , but we can choose how are we respond to them ’. Even with all of the challenges of the country at this time , Grant is responding and choosing to put in the effort on a facility like this and now he has the support of his whole team , all of the sponsors , and as SARACCA we are proud to be part of this journey too . We wish all the best .”
The next guest speaker was Emmanuel Mbuwe , chief director : occupational quality assurance with the QCTO . In his address he offered congratulations for reaching this milestone as a training provider . “ We are very confident that the partnerships in this programme will create success , and in a way that wasn ’ t possible before , especially because they are all working within the industry – and with the bodies that are associated with the industry . Another point that I would like to emphasise is that this , as a private / public partnership is also exciting – as well as when
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za