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Business
ASSESSING CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HVAC & R TRAINING IN SA
By Eamonn Ryan
A recent presentation by Gift Molokwane of the Department of Forestry , Fisheries , and the Environment ( DFFE ) provided a comprehensive overview of a report on the state of training for refrigeration and air conditioning ( HVAC & R ) technicians in South Africa .
The report stems from site visits to various technical and vocational education and training ( TVET ) colleges and training centres across the country . The primary aim of this initiative was to identify gaps in training and to propose actionable recommendations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of HVAC & R education .
The Montreal Protocol has played a crucial role in shaping HVAC & R training and energy efficiency initiatives . The protocol ' s requirements for phasing out ozone-depleting substances and reducing greenhouse gas emissions necessitate a focus on both effective training and advanced technologies .
The initiative , which began in 2018 , was triggered by concerns over the high number of unregistered HVAC & R technicians . In response , a task team was formed , comprising representatives from industry , the Department of Employment and Labour , SARACCA , SAQA , and the Department of Higher Education and Training . This team was tasked with developing a national implementation strategy to address the identified gaps in HVAC & R training .
The strategy aimed to improve collaboration between government bodies , TVET colleges and industry stakeholders . This would ensure that students receive practical training and have the opportunity to work in the sector . The strategy also highlighted the need to address inadequate workshop facilities and low student intake in the HVAC & R programmes at public TVET colleges .
Gift Molokwane of the Department of Forestry , Fisheries , and the Environment ( DFFE ) provided a comprehensive overview of a report on the state of training for refrigeration and air conditioning ( HVAC & R ) technicians in South Africa .
All images supplied by © RACA Journal
SITE VISITS AND FINDINGS In line with the strategy , the DFFE conducted site visits to 29 TVET colleges and private training centres across nine provinces . The objectives of these visits were :
• To assess the current state of HVAC & R training and its alignment with the Montreal Protocol ' s requirements
• To explore opportunities for bridging the gap between higher education institutions and industry , thereby enhancing the practical training and employability of students
• To establish stronger collaboration between government and industry for upskilling and improving the quality of TVET programmes
• To promote formal certification and registration of HVAC & R technicians to reduce the number of informal practitioners in the sector
The site visits revealed several critical issues :
• insufficient workshop facilities : Many public TVET colleges lacked adequate facilities for hands-on training in refrigeration and air conditioning
• Low student enrollment : There was a noted low intake of students into HVAC & R programmes , which could affect the future supply of qualified technicians
• Funding and equipment : A significant shortfall in funding and modern equipment was observed , hindering the effectiveness of training programmes
RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the findings , several recommendations were proposed :
• Implement a standardised national curriculum for HVAC & R training to ensure consistency and quality across institutions
• Encourage gender diversity within HVAC & R programmes to broaden the talent pool and create more inclusive training environments
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RACA Journal I January 2025 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za