Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade Assistant)
(Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
3
Credits
120
Level
NZSCED
031315
Engineering and Related Technologies > Electrical and
Electronic Engineering and Technology > Refrigeration, Heating
and Air Conditioning
DAS classification
848
Engineering and Technology > Mechanical Engineering >
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
July 2019
Approval date
24 October 2014
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning (RAC) industry with people who have
sufficient underpinning knowledge, understanding, and practical
skill to work as a Trade Assistant.
This is an entry level qualification that is designed for people
already working in the industry or people wishing to enter the
industry as a Trade Assistant.
Graduates will be able to perform limited assembly, installation
and maintenance functions under the supervision of a qualified
tradesperson.
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
Outcome Statement
-
Qualification Reference 2365
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
-
-
Apply core engineering knowledge to the assembly,
installation and maintenance of basic refrigeration and/or air
conditioning plant and equipment
Apply knowledge of refrigeration principles and their
applications to the assembly, installation and maintenance of
basic refrigeration and/or air conditioning systems to
manufacturer’s specifications
Apply knowledge of relevant electrical theory and practice to
safely test basic electrical circuitry
Apply an understanding of refrigerants, their significance to
the industry and their impact on the environment, to safely
meet all relevant environmental and industrial legislation
Recover refrigerant into a cylinder and charge refrigeration
systems in accordance with current regulations
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-
Education pathway
Apply knowledge of welding to safely braze to an acceptable
industry standard
Work safely with a relevant understanding of Health and
Safety requirements and workplace safety culture.
Entry to this New Zealand Certificate is open as it is an
introduction to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning industry.
It may lead to the New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning (Trade) (Level 4) [Ref: 2366] as well as
legislated industry requirements such as the:
-
WorkSafe Approved Handlers Certificate;
Electrical Workers Registration Board’s Electrical Appliance
Serviceperson licence (EAS);
Electrical Workers Registration Board’s Electrical Service
Technician licence (EST).
Candidates who have previously achieved the National
Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [Ref: 1220] will
have credits towards this qualification.
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification will be equipped to work as Trade
Assistants in the RAC or related industries.
The work environment may include, for example: refrigerated
shipping containers; domestic air conditioning; transport
refrigeration and air conditioning; commercial and industrial
refrigeration, and the Mechanical Building Services sector
(formerly HVAC sector).
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by an organisation which has
an approved programme of study or industry training
programme leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may
display the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
managing consistency
All TEOs either arranging training or delivering programmes
that lead to the award of the qualification are required to
participate in a consistency process scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduate’s
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds
for qualification outcome achievement and areas for
improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence will include the following:

Qualification Reference 2365
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the
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qualification meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Evidence of effective processes to ensure programmes
continue to meet current industry needs.

A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that
graduates meet the graduate profile outcomes.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the managing consistency process
can be found on the NZQA website.
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Organisations that offer programmes towards the qualification
are expected to have Recognition of Current Competence
(RCC) or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment
processes in place.
Credit transfer will be automatic where assessment standards
are used for assessment within programmes of study or training
leading to this qualification.
Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
Candidates must achieve all outcomes and hold a WorkSafe
Approved Filler Test Certificate to be awarded this qualification.
There are no grade endorsements for this qualification.
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
Entry is open, however it is recommended candidates hold the
National Certificate in Educational Achievement (Level 2) [Ref:
0973].
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
structure
This qualification can be achieved in either an on-job or off-job
environment.
It is expected that fundamental health and safety awareness will be a
focus at the start of the programme, and further embedded in all onjob and off-job learning throughout the duration of the programme.
Conditions for programme
context
Should unit standards be specified in a programme of study or
industry training programme leading to this qualification, please
consult the explanatory notes section of the unit standards concerned,
as there may be legislative and health and safety requirements.
Other conditions
N/A
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Qualification Reference 2365
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
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1
Apply core engineering knowledge to the
assembly, installation and maintenance of
basic refrigeration and/or air conditioning
plant and equipment
35 Credits
2
Core engineering knowledge
must include: trade calculations,
technical drawing interpretation,
tools and equipment, metals and
materials, and fasteners
Mandatory
Hold a WorkSafe Approved Filler
Test Certificate
Mandatory
Learning and assessment must
include:
Mandatory
Apply knowledge of refrigeration principles
and their applications to the assembly,
installation and maintenance of basic
refrigeration and/or air conditioning systems
to manufacturer’s specifications
34 Credits
3
Apply knowledge of relevant electrical theory
and practice to safely test basic electrical
circuitry
20 Credits
4
Apply an understanding of refrigerants, their
significance to the industry and their impact
on the environment, to safely meet all
relevant environmental and industrial
legislation
8 Credits
5
Recover refrigerant into a cylinder and charge
refrigeration systems in accordance with
current regulations
3 Credits
6
Apply knowledge of welding to safely braze to
an acceptable industry standard
10 Credits
7
Work safely with a relevant understanding of
Health and Safety requirements and
workplace safety culture

Understanding of their
responsibilities in the
workplace under relevant
current Acts and Regulations

Understanding of machine
guarding principles and
requirements

Understanding of workplace
culture (applying within
workplace)

Understanding of hazard
identification and controlling
10 Credits
Qualification Reference 2365
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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hazards, machine isolation,
reporting, audit

Awareness of heights and
confined spaces.
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the MIT Certificate in Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning (Level 3) [Ref: MN4488] and Certificate in Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning [Ref: ST5209].
The last date for entry into the replaced qualification is 31 December 2015. The last date for assessment
against the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2016.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the
address below. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis.
Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket, Auckland 1149.
Republication information
Version 1 of this qualification was republished in April 2015 to update the Evidence requirements for
managing consistency
Qualification Reference 2365
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2014
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