By Eamonn Ryan
A recent presentation by Gift Molokwane of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) provided a comprehensive overview of a report on the state of training for refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC&R) technicians in South Africa.
Gift Molokwane of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) provided a
comprehensive overview of a report on the state of training for refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC&R) technicians in South Africa. All images supplied by © RACA Journal
The report stems from site visits to various technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges and training centres across the country. The primary aim of this initiative was to identify gaps in training and to propose actionable recommendations to enhance the quality and effectiveness of HVAC&R education.
The Montreal Protocol has played a crucial role in shaping HVAC&R training and energy efficiency initiatives. The protocol’s requirements for phasing out ozone-depleting substances and reducing greenhouse gas emissions necessitate a focus on both effective training and advanced technologies.
The initiative, which began in 2018, was triggered by concerns over the high number of unregistered HVAC&R technicians. In response, a task team was formed, comprising representatives from industry, the Department of Employment and Labour, SARACCA, SAQA, and the Department of Higher Education and Training. This team was tasked with developing a national implementation strategy to address the identified gaps in HVAC&R training.
The strategy aimed to improve collaboration between government bodies, TVET colleges and industry stakeholders. This would ensure that students receive practical training and have the opportunity to work in the sector. The strategy also highlighted the need to address inadequate workshop facilities and low student intake in the HVAC&R programmes at public TVET colleges.
Site visits and findings
In line with the strategy, the DFFE conducted site visits to 29 TVET colleges and private training centres across nine provinces. The objectives of these visits were:
- To assess the current state of HVAC&R training and its alignment with the Montreal Protocol’s requirements
- To explore opportunities for bridging the gap between higher education institutions and industry, thereby enhancing the practical training and employability of student
- To establish stronger collaboration between government and industry for upskilling and improving the quality of TVET programmes
- To promote formal certification and registration of HVAC&R technicians to reduce the number of informal practitioners in the sector
The site visits revealed several critical issues:
- Insufficient workshop facilities: Many public TVET colleges lacked adequate facilities for hands-on training in refrigeration and air conditioning
- Low student enrollment: There was a noted low intake of students into HVAC&R programmes, which could affect the future supply of qualified technicians
- Funding and equipment: A significant shortfall in funding and modern equipment was observed, hindering the effectiveness of training programmes
Recommendations
Based on the findings, several recommendations were proposed:
- Implement a standardised national curriculum for HVAC&R training to ensure consistency and quality across institutions
- Encourage gender diversity within HVAC&R programmes to broaden the talent pool and create more inclusive training environments
- Foster closer partnerships between industry and TVET colleges to facilitate practical training opportunities and align educational programmes with industry needs
- Emphasise the importance of hands-on training and internships to better prepare students for real-world applications
- Establish robust mechanisms for formal certification and registration of technicians to reduce the prevalence of informal practices
Impact of the Montreal Protocol
The visits covered TVET colleges and training centres in the provinces, with a particular focus on understanding the status of HVAC&R training across different regions.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN): Among the two private training centres visited, both were offering HVAC&R training. However, other institutions in the province were still in the process of obtaining accreditation from the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
Mpumalanga: The region had two public TVET colleges, one of which was actively providing HVAC&R training. Notably, this college had a partnership with Samsung for commercial air conditioning services.
Gauteng: The team visited three public and two private institutions. Of these, only one public and one private centre were offering HVAC&R training. Efforts will continue to engage with more institutions in Gauteng to assess their offerings.
Western Cape: Out of the two private training centres visited, one was offering HVAC&R training, while the other was not.
North West: Four institutions were visited, none of which were providing HVAC&R training. One centre was in the process of applying for accreditation through QCTO.
Eastern Cape: Three public TVET colleges were visited. Only one offered HVAC&R training, focusing on automotive air conditioning.
Limpopo: Two institutions were assessed, with only one offering HVAC&R training. The other was not yet providing such courses.
Out of 29 institutions visited, 15 were public TVET colleges, and 14 were private training centres. Among these:
- 12 TVET colleges (both public and private) were offering HVAC&R training
- 14 institutions were not providing HVAC&R training
- 3 institutions were focusing on automotive air conditioning
Challenges identified
The assessment highlighted several challenges affecting the HVAC&R training sector:
- Many public TVET colleges lacked adequate workshops for hands-on training in refrigeration and air conditioning
- There was a notable low intake of students into HVAC&R programmes, impacting on the future availability of qualified technicians
- Both public and private institutions reported inadequate funding and lack of modern equipment, hindering effective training
- Limited collaboration between public and private training centres was noted, which could impede the sharing of resources and knowledge
- There was a general lack of awareness and information about the HVAC&R field, which affects student interest and enrollment
Based on the findings, several key recommendations were made:
- TVET colleges and training centres should consider adopting the National Safe Refrigeration Curriculum to standardise and improve training quality
- Institutions should nominate their staff for ‘train-the-trainer’ workshops to ensure that lecturers are up-to-date with the latest HVAC&R skills and technologies
- Encourage gender balance in both student enrollment and staff appointments to foster diversity in the HVAC&R field
- Strengthen partnerships between public and private institutions to improve resource sharing and practical training opportunities
- Seek additional funding and support to upgrade facilities and acquire necessary equipment for effective training
One of the key recommendations was the organisation of one-day workshops to raise awareness and address existing gaps in training. These workshops would focus on enhancing practical training and increasing the overall effectiveness of HVAC&R education. Additionally, the DFFE plans to facilitate the donation of split-unit air conditioning systems with natural refrigerants to TVET colleges. This initiative is still in the pipeline, and further steps will be taken once the details are finalised.
During the site visits, it was observed from photographic evidence that many institutions were still utilising outdated equipment, some of which had been donated years ago but were not effectively utilised due to a lack of training.
There is a call for stronger collaboration between public institutions and private industry to address the shortage of nqualified lecturers and technicians.
Industry feedback and recommendations
Following the presentation, there were comments from stakeholders expressing concern about the current state of public TVET colleges. The challenges faced by learners, including outdated curricula and inadequate practical training, were highlighted as significant issues. There was also a call for a review of the funding and support mechanisms for internships and learnerships, emphasising the need for renewed industry involvement and commitment.
A significant issue raised was the misalignment between the training provided by TVET colleges and the actual requirements of the industry. Many colleges were found to be offering theoretical courses rather than practical, hands-on training. This gap necessitates a reassessment of the curriculum to ensure it meets industry standards and prepares students for real-world applications.
Grant Laidlaw, owner of ACRA (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy) was asked to give opinion, which he did as follows:
- Training requirements for lecturers: It was emphasised that lecturers need to have substantial experience in the HVAC&R field to effectively teach and train students. Short courses alone are insufficient; instead, experienced professionals should be recruited and trained as lecturers to ensure high-quality education.
- Transition between old and new qualifications: The QCTO had recently canceled many old qualifications, transitioning to new occupation-based qualifications. This shift has created a temporary void, with some training providers and learners caught between the old and new systems. Accreditation for legacy qualifications has been extended until December 2025 to address this gap.
- Curriculum updates: The new qualifications align with international standards and include the latest refrigerants and energy efficiency practices. However, the trade testing for these new qualifications is still being finalised, with full implementation expected in the coming months.
To address the challenges identified, he recommended the following steps:
- Increase focus on practical, hands-on training in HVAC&R programmes to better prepare students for real-world scenarios
- Ensure that the curriculum is up-to-date with industry standards and incorporates the latest technological advancements
- Recruit experienced professionals from the HVAC&R sector and provide them with the necessary training to become effective lecturers
- Foster stronger partnerships between public and private institutions to share resources, knowledge, and best practices
- Secure additional funding and resources to upgrade facilities and equipment, ensuring that institutions can provide high-quality training
Other recommendations
There is a call for stronger collaboration between public institutions and private industry to address the shortage of qualified lecturers and technicians. The emphasis is on recruiting experienced professionals from the industry to train lecturers and to enhance the quality of vocational training.
There is a significant shortage of trained refrigeration and air conditioning technicians in South Africa. This shortage drives the need for more effective training programmes and highlights the importance of aligning educational outcomes with industry needs.
A key concern is whether newly trained individuals are finding employment. It’s essential to assess whether the current training programmes align with market demands and whether graduates are successfully entering the workforce. This assessment will help ensure that training programmes are relevant and that graduates have opportunities for employment upon completion of their training. Conduct assessments to track the employment outcomes of graduates to ensure that training programmes are meeting industry needs and that graduates are entering the workforce successfully.
The discussions highlighted the urgent need for improved training programmes and industry collaboration to address the shortages in the HVAC&R sector. By implementing the proposed solutions and fostering stronger partnerships, it is possible to enhance the quality of training, better align educational outcomes with industry needs, and ultimately improve employment prospects for graduates. Additionally, ongoing efforts related to the Montreal Protocol and energy efficiency initiatives will continue to play a crucial role in global environmental protection and sustainable development.
