Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade Assistant)
(Level 3)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
3
Credits
120
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
Dd Mmmm YYYY
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. Graduates would be expected
to work under supervision of qualified tradespeople, performing
limited installation and maintenance functions.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Education pathway
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 20XX
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
- Apply their core engineering knowledge to their role in
the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning industry, including
trade calculations, technical drawing interpretation, tools
and equipment, metals and materials, and fasteners
- Apply their knowledge of introductory electrical theory
and practice to safely test basic electrical circuitry
- Apply their knowledge of the principles and applications
of refrigeration systems to safely assemble and maintain
basic Refrigeration and/or Air Conditioning systems to
manufacturer’s specifications
- Apply their knowledge of welding to safely braze to an
acceptable industry standard
- Have an understanding of refrigerants and their
significance to the industry and the environment
- Practice under an Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) approved Refrigerant specific Filler Test
Certificate
- Have a basic understanding of the relevant legislation
and the New Zealand industry standards, supported by
an understanding of workplace health and safety, and
first aid requirements
Entry to this New Zealand Certificate is open as it is an
introduction to the RAC industry.
It may lead to a New Zealand Apprenticeship towards the New
Zealand Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade)
(Level 4) as well as legislated industry requirements such as:
Page 1 of 4
-
Employment pathway
The Environmental Protection Agency’s approved
Handlers refrigerant licence;
- The Electrical Workers Registration Board’s Electrical
Appliance Serviceperson licence (EAS);
- The Electrical Workers Registration Board’s Electrical
Service Technician licence (EST).
Candidates who have previously achieved the National
Certificate in Mechanical Engineering (Level 2) [NQF 1220] will
have credits towards this qualification.
Graduates of this qualification can be expected 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 (formally HVAC sector).
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
Arrangements for managing
consistency
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 20XX
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.
Programme owners are responsible for ensuring the
consistency of assessment within their programmes and
must be able to demonstrate alignment with the outcomes of
the qualification.
The qualification developer will establish and maintain a
consistency management panel made up of relevant
stakeholders. This panel will meet annually or more
frequently if required, and will be responsible for:
 Agreeing on an annual consistency plan
 Agreeing on any actions required to address
inconsistency.
The annual plan will include relevant methodologies for
managing consistency which may include – portfolios of
evidence, benchmarking visits, graduate and employer
surveys, peer reviews, and moderation of unit standards.
The qualification developer will action the plan and report to
the panel on findings.
The costs associated with managing consistency will be
shared by the participants in the process.
Competenz encourages on-going feedback from industry
and programme owners on the design and continued
relevance of this qualification and the programmes leading
to it. This feedback will inform future qualification reviews
and may also be used to guide the panel in setting portfolio
requirements.
Organisations seeking approval to award the qualification
are expected to have RCC or 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.
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Minimum standard of achievement
and standards for grade
endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. 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
This qualification will typically be achieved in an off-job environment.
structure
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
It is recommended that the unit standard(s) listed against each
outcome statement in the table (or their replacements) below be used
when assessing achievement of that outcome. In the event of any
other assessment standard(s) being used, it should take account of
the competencies contained within the listed unit standard(s) in order
to promote national consistency.
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Indicative
Credits
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
Apply their core engineering
knowledge to the Refrigeration
and/or Air Conditioning industry
35
2395, 2396, 2430, 2432,
20799, 20917, 21905, 21908,
21909.
Optional
2
Apply their knowledge of
introductory electrical theory and
practice to safely test basic
electrical circuitry
22
750, 15851, 15852, 25070,
25071, 25072.
Optional
3
Apply their knowledge of the
principles and applications of
refrigeration systems to safely
assemble and maintain basic
Refrigeration and/or Air
Conditioning systems to
manufacturer’s specifications.
37
22701, 22706, RAC8, RAC9
(New unit standards).
Optional
4
Apply their knowledge of welding
to safely braze to an acceptable
industry standard
10
2679, 25959.
Optional
5
Have a sound knowledge of
refrigerants and their significance
to the industry and the
5
19666, RAC 1 (New unit
standard)
Optional
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 20XX
Page 3 of 4
environment
6
7
Practice under an Environmental
Protection Agency’s approved
refrigerant specific Filler Test
Certificate
Have a basic understanding of the
relevant legislation and the New
Zealand industry standards,
supported by an understanding of
workplace health and safety, and
first aid requirements.
3
Unit1-Filler (New unit
standard).
Optional
8
497, 21911, 21912, 26551,
26552.
Optional
Transition information
Replacement information
This New Zealand Certificate replaces the MIT Certificate in Refrigeration
and Air Conditioning (Level 3) [NQF ref MN4488] and Certificate in
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Level 3) [NQF ref ST5209].
People currently working toward the replaced qualifications may either complete the requirements for
those qualifications by December 2018 or transfer to this qualification. The last date for entry into
programmes leading to NQF ref MN4488 & ST5209 is December 2015.
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 20XX
Page 4 of 4