Training snapshot
There were approximately 7,670 program enrolments in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning related qualifications during 2020. Program enrolments have increased in 2021, up from 7,220 in 2019 to a new five year high. Completions increased to 2,060 in 2021 following a fall in 2019 after peaking at 2,400 in 2018.
During 2020, approximately three quarters (73%) of enrolments were at a certificate III level, specifically a Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration which had the only intended occupation of an Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic. The majority of remaining enrolments occurred at a certificate II level (25%), primarily the Certificate II in Split Air-conditioning and Heat Pump Systems with the sole intended occupation of Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant.
For enrolments during 2020, training provider type varied significantly between different qualifications. For example, for the Certificate II in Split Air-conditioning and Heat Pump Systems most of the training was delivered by private training providers (87%), whereas for the Diploma of Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering and the Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, most of the training was provided by TAFE institutes (92% and 81% respectively).
In 2020, the funding source for subjects differed substantially by provider type. Subjects provided by TAFE institutes (94%) and Universities (99%) were predominantly Commonwealth and state funded, whereas most subjects delivered by private training providers (83%) were on a domestic fee for service basis.
Students who enrolled in Refrigeration and Air-conditioning related qualifications during 2020 were mainly from New South Wales (34%), Queensland (29%) and Victoria (17%), while training was largely delivered in Queensland (41%), New South Wales (32%) and Victoria (14%).
After reaching a low of approximately 970 in 2012, apprenticeship commencements increased steadily to a peak of roughly 1,660 in 2017, followed by a slight decline to around 1,550 in 2018. Though numbers increased in 2019 to 1,600 this has fallen again in 2020 to 1,580. Apprenticeship completions increased between 2011 and 2014, before declining the following year, however they have continued to gradually increase since then to almost 790 in 2020. All apprentices in training as at December 2020 were training towards the intended occupation of Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic, with training mainly reported by New South Wales (42%), Queensland (26%) and Victoria (18%).
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