By Eamonn Ryan
The Southern African Development Community Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (SADC RAC) association held a workshop in Johannesburg in November. This is Part 7 of a seven-part article.
David Botha, the executive director of both the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) and the South African Refrigeration Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (SARACCA). © RACA Journal
David Botha, the executive director of both the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC) and the South African Refrigeration Air Conditioning Contractors’ Association (SARACCA), highlighted another innovation – the transition to digital certification. As of two years ago, SAQCC Gas no longer issues physical certification cards. Instead, certification is now managed through an app on mobile devices, allowing practitioners to demonstrate their qualifications instantly. The SAQCC Gas app is a tool that enables technicians to write CoCs for any work performed. The app asks for necessary details about the job—such as refrigerant types, pressures and photographs of the completed work—which are then emailed to both the technician and the client.
This change aligns with global trends towards digitalisation and paperless systems, making it easier for technicians and clients to track and manage qualifications, while ensuring that documentation is more secure and verifiable.
The importance of consistency across borders
One of the key points Botha made was the need for consistency in training standards across different countries, particularly in the Southern African region. He suggested that the SAQCC gas system in South Africa could serve as a model for other countries. By creating an interconnected digital certification and training system, workers could more easily transfer qualifications between countries in the region, ensuring that technicians across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are trained and certified to the same high standards. This system would make it easier for companies and contractors to find qualified workers, and it would help to standardize training practices and competencies across borders.
Botha concluded by showing an example of a practical training assessment. In this example, technicians were required to demonstrate their ability to connect a system to a recovery machine, pull a vacuum, and ensure the system was properly tested. This practical test is part of the e-learning programme and allows practitioners to practice and apply what they’ve learned online. They also take quizzes and tests to ensure they have acquired the necessary skills. If they answer questions incorrectly, the system prompts them to try again until they’ve learned the correct procedures.
The goal is to ensure that all practitioners are not just theoretically knowledgeable but are also capable of handling real-world challenges. Botha noted that one of the main goals of training should be to ensure that workers know how to think critically and apply knowledge practically when they encounter new or difficult situations.
Botha wrapped up his presentation with a call to action: The industry must act now to ensure the proper training and certification of its workforce. With the growing demand for HVAC&R services and the increasing awareness of environmental and safety regulations, it is more important than ever that technicians are properly trained, certified, and equipped to handle the challenges of the industry.
By adopting new training methods like e-learning, transitioning to digital certification, and standardising training and certification processes across borders, the industry can ensure that it has enough qualified technicians to meet future demand. These changes are critical for the long-term sustainability of the industry and for creating a safer, more efficient workforce.
