Education and skills development in South Africa is a process of change, writes Hennie Basson, managing member: Raetech Training Centre, in this Part 1 of a two part series.
These measures contained in the new occupational qualification for the HVAC&R sector have, and will, leave no enterprise or individual untouched. It poses many challenges in order to make it effective and the structures and requirements implemented to date require new skills and paradigm shifts within public and business enterprises.
The heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry is a large and important sector in the economy; therefore it is vital that role players in the education system ensure that the training for this sector is of the highest quality, and that the responsibility not be left only to government, as there is a need to engage in a public and private partnership.
The deficiencies in the system can be identified and addressed to provide quality learning and be responsive to changing demands and foster a culture of lifelong learning. Industry, through organised institutions like SAIRAC and SARACCA, were part of the development of the Occupational Qualification Curriculums for Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
Structure of the occupational qualification
The legacy qualifications consist of multiple individual unit standards, each focusing on practical competencies, theoretical knowledge and critical cross-field outcomes. On the other hand, QCTO qualifications divide the legacy unit standards into three distinct modules:
- Knowledge module: theory component
- Practical module: all practical component
- Work experience module: prescript of workplace experience required for the qualification
The knowledge module and the practical module need to be done in a QCTO-accredited training centre and the workplace experience module needs to be done at an approved workplace employer.
The legacy qualification unit standards expired on 30 June 2023, while the last date of trade test will be 30 June 2027 for all learners that were enrolled under the legacy qualifications. The impact is that the occupational qualification is effective from this year. The minimum requirement under the legacy qualification was that a learner required a minimum academic qualification of a full N2 certificate. The national certificates came to an end on 30 June 2023. The knowledge modules include the theoretical content required for the specific full or part qualification.
The full qualifications – Air Conditioning Refrigeration Mechanic and Refrigeration Mechanic – are structured that there are exit levels should a learner wish to exit at a specific level. The most important addition is the part qualifications which will enable a worker to perform specific tasks in the trade for which they do not require the full qualification, and can obtain a part qualification in their field of expertise.