Do you need a formal qualification
to keep or to get
your refrigerant
handling license
to service domestic appliances?
I know what I'm doing and I have a State CFC/HCFC User Authorisation. But, I don't want to spend one day a week at TAFE for a year to get it.
You are not alone.
Most domestic appliance service mechanics have been repairing fridges and freezers for years
and may have a State or Territory CFC/HCFC User Authorisation, but few have any
formal qualifications.
Can I get a qualification based on the skills I already have?
Yes you can, depending on your current skills, knowledge and experience.
To meet this
need, the Appliance Industry Association and TAFE-NSW are offering
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into the UEE21807 Appliance Servicing - Refrigerants, for applicants throughout
The RPL process
requires you to fill out an RPL Evidence Booklet. This will assist in determining
if you already have the required knowledge, skills and experience to meet the
requirements of the qualification. You will do this
by gathering evidence about your relevant industry experience, qualifications
and training. You send the completed booklet with your documented
evidence to the
This RPL process recognises learning gained through work experience, formal or informal study, life experience or a combination. If the evidence you provide is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the units of competency, you may need to:
· submit further evidence,
and/or
·
attend an interview where an assessor will speak to you to clarify
evidence submitted and obtain further evidence by asking you questions about
your work experiences, and/or
·
undertake an assessment to provide additional evidence of your skills
and knowledge and/or
·
undertake additional training and/or work experience.
CERTIFICATE II in ELECTROTECHNOLOGY SERVICING (Appliance Servicing - Refrigerants)
This qualification is for those who install
and carry out basic routine maintenance on domestic self contained
refrigeration and air conditioning appliances. In particular, they will be able
to service the refrigerant components of domestic appliances following
prescribed routines. This includes the regulatory requirements for handling
refrigerants.
That is, you will be able to safely
and correctly handle refrigerants, recover refrigerant from an appliance,
replace refrigeration components, find and repair refrigerant leaks, pressure
test, evacuate and charge/add refrigerant into appliances.
To gain this qualification
you must complete all relevant national units of competency listed in the Information for Applicants, which you can download HERE
The nominal duration for
this course at a TAFE college for new entrants is 288 to 320 hours, which
equals 1 day per week for 1 year.
By applying for recognition of your current knowledge, skills and
experience you may not have to go to TAFE to receive this qualification,
or you may need to attend for a short time to get some gap training
in skills that you lack.
The Cost
The fee for this RPL
process is $550, which includes:
·
Assessment of your current
knowledge, skills and experience against the qualification’s units of competency requirements
·
The issuing of the TAFE NSW
qualification certificate and statement of competencies achieved, if you meet
the requirements
·
Identification of any
additional “gap” training
·
Enrolment in TAFE NSW for 1
semester for “gap” training, if required
Please note that TAFE NSW reviewing their price structure.
New applications will be accepted when the new price is decided.
If you provide insufficient evidence to meet the requirements, you may need
to sit for a skills test conducted by TAFE NSW to prove that you are competent.
This will require an additional fee of $220.
Download Application Form HERE
Download Full information about the procedure HERE
Please note that the previously quoted period of 8-10 weeks to complete the process after the application is received can now easily extend to over 12 weeks because at least 6 applications are required to make a class, and there are fewer applications being returned. It is now five years after the changes in the licensing system and demand for the course is no longer high. Also, there have been changes in the TAFE NSW admin processes for handling these RPL applications.
For Additional Information Contact the Appliance Industry Association Phone: 0412 448 273
Email:admin@appliance.asn.au
Mail:PO Box167, CANTERBURY NSW 2193