Qualifications currently under review

 HVAC

A review of The National Certificate in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Level 4 is now underway. Completion is scheduled for March 2010. By carrying out the review it is intended that:

• The first year of the HVAC L4 qualification will be aligned to the National Certificiate in Mechanical Engineering (L4 NCME) qualification, where there is commonality

• To make assessment easier than in the past there will be a distinction between off-job unit standards and on-job unit standards

• A series of new knowledge unit standards will be developed for the Level 4 HVAC qualification, designed to improve the underpinning knowledge of apprentices.  These units will focus on the underlying principles of HVAC systems, through to advanced knowledge of HVAC systems

• The qualification will also include skills in areas such as servicing, faultfinding and job costing.

•  The Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 5 is under review in conjunction with the HVAC Level 5 qualification and details will be updated at a later date.

Architectural Aluminium Joinery (AAJ)

A new Level 4 AAJ qualification with strands in Quotation and Special Aluminium Joinery has been developed and is now with NZQA for its first evaluation.

The Special Aluminium Joinery strand will provide a specific training pathway for trades people who may need to routinely create one-off pieces for architecturally-designed buildings. The Quotation strand focuses on the job-costing skill and knowledge requirements specific to this industry.

Also a new Level 3 AAJ – Installation qualification is currently in the final review stage with industry for endorsement, prior to submission to NZQA. This qualification will address the specific skill sets required for a tradesperson to proficiently install aluminium joinery components.

The new Level 3 Installation qualification will complement the AAJ – Assembly and Glazing qualification, which focuses on the distinct skill sets required to make and assemble aluminium joinery components prior to installation.

Welding

29 welding unit standards have been reviewed by our Strategic Development team in consultation with industry and providers. These reviewed units are now registered on the NQF.

Forklift

Competenz is reviewing two unit standards, 10851 and 10852. These units will now be linked to the Department of Labour’s Code of Practice for Trainers and Operators of Powered Industrial Lift Trucks (Forklifts).

Competenz is also writing new training manuals for the Forklift sectors.

The Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) will also be changed. This will require any workplace assessors for units 10851 and 10852 to become registered forklift trainers with Competenz. Registered forklift trainers are trainers that meet the standard for forklift trainers as described in the Approved Code of Practice.

A period of time will be given to allow workplace assessors who are not registered forklift trainers to go through the registration process.

These changes are due for completion by December 2009. For more information contact Competenz Industry Manager Paul Town, on email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Fabrication

The National Certificate in Engineering is being revamped, with customer input, to better suit industry needs. All new apprentices for Fabrication Level 4 qualification (heavy or light strands) will now start on version 5. Apprentices using version 4 will complete that programme.