TASMANIAN AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY BLOWN AWAY BY COOL NEW FACILITY

Tasmanian technicians and designers in the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services
industries will soon be able to advance their skills through the latest in smart technology
training, at a new state-of-the-art facility officially opened today.

The new AMCA (Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association) Mechanical
Services Training Test Rig will provide the best possible training for future apprentices, as
well as up-skilling 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.

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,” Mr 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 (heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning) and plumbing facility, and the original complex we’re standing in today was
completed in the late 70s,” Mr Wright said.

“At the 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 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.”

Mr 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.

For more information about the apprenticeships and traineeships on offer at the new facility
visit the Skills Institute website at: www.skillsinstitute.com.au.
Skills Institute