First SA dual-qualified fridgies graduate

The first three students have graduated from South Australia’s new dual-qualification refrigeration and electrical course.

Klaus Duthler, Bradley Thompson and Daniel Chellew were all doing their refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) training when the dual qualification became available. The combined apprenticeship runs for five years and requires 1,540 hours of total study, compared to 1,060 hours for a single trade.

The dual trade program was developed by TAFE SA, PEER and NECA SA and delivers RAC and electrical training concurrently at TAFE SA Tonsley Campus.

The Australian Refrigeration Council (ARC) has rewarded the graduates by providing them with Green Scheme Accreditation to add to their credentials.

ARC Chief Executive Officer Glenn Evans says TAFE SA’s dual qualification was a great example of training providers changing to suit the needs of industry. The program allows technicians to perform the full scope of work of both the RAC and electrical disciplines.

“It will give RAC technicians the formal qualification to undertake the electrical aspects of their work, confirming the full range of skills they have,” he says.

The course also includes handling flammable refrigerants, which makes it eligible for the ARC’s Green Scheme Accreditation – the only national accreditation to demonstrate that technicians are qualified to work with low-GWP refrigerants.

“ARC congratulates the graduates of this pioneering new course, and is pleased to provide two years of free Green Scheme Accreditation to them,” says Evans.