A new training test rig has opened in Tasmania for technicians and designers in the air conditioning and mechanical services industries.
The new Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) Mechanical Services Training Test Rig will provide training for future apprentices, as well as upskilling for existing workers across the state.
The new facility is a joint initiative between AMCA and the Skills Institute, which will house the test rig at its plumbing and refrigeration training campus in Claremont, a Hobart suburb.
Skills Institute customer relations manager in electrotechnology, Tony McKinlay, said not only would the new facility allow for post-trade and advanced training for those working in the industry, but would also provide specialised training courses in future.
“The facility opens up a world of opportunities for those thinking about a career in air conditioning and mechanical services, including advanced diplomas and specialised qualifications,” McKinlay said..
“This is a first for the state and has only been made possible by the goodwill and commitment of industry (AMCA) members, who have generously donated their time as well as the latest equipment.
“Working together with AMCA and industry members, the Skills Institute has been able to provide the best possible training opportunity for existing and future apprentices.”
AMCA Tasmania president Chris Wright said the opening was a fantastic achievement for
the organisation, coinciding with the 50-year anniversary of AMCA in Australia.
“AMCA Tasmania lobbied hard in the 1970s for a specialist HVAC and plumbing facility,” Wright said. “At that time the industry developed a post-trade night school course in mechanical services, with course lecturers including a host of HVAC industry leaders, from the chief mechanical engineer with the Public Works, through to consulting engineers, contracting company principals and sales engineers, and the original facility was put to great use.
“However, changing technologies have seen a need to bring the test rig up to current day standards, with a versatile range of functions that will continue to be upgraded and developed as technology and training requirements continue to change.”
Wright said more and more modern buildings were striving for higher energy efficiency in order to comply with the Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC), Greenstar and Nabers and the new facility would enable more technicians to specialise in this area.
“This energy performance fine-tuning can only be carried out by trained technicians who are competent in the optimum performance of plant and equipment and this new test rig will allow technicians to experiment with live systems,” he said.