Words: Varun Godinho
The AIRAH Professional Engineer Register (APER) serves as a means to demonstrate to the public that an engineer listed in the register is suitably qualified, competent and ethical.
Through its APER program, AIRAH has already been approved as the assessment entity in Victoria and the ACT– and now for another five years in Queensland.
AIRAH is also progressing its application to operate as an assessment entity in Western Australia, ahead of the introduction of professional registration for mechanical engineers later this year, reported HVAC&R News.
“In recent years, governments around Australia have recognised the need for professional registration to ensure engineers have the qualifications, experience and ethics to operate,” AIRAH chief executive officer Sami Zheng says.
“AIRAH has strongly advocated for the introduction of professional registration regimes, and we are supporting them through the APER program – the only accreditation program solely focused on representing mechanical engineers working in HVAC&R building services,” Zheng says. “Those who engage engineers on the APER have the confidence that they have been assessed by peers with expert knowledge of our industry.
“AIRAH also offers ongoing support in the form of specialist professional development activities that count towards continuous professional development requirements.”
Growing Australia’s HVAC&R Sector
AIRAH’s three advocacy focus areas include occupant wellbeing, sustainable buildings and workforce.
“Improving indoor air quality is perhaps the greatest opportunity of our generation to lift the quality of life of all Australians,” Zheng says. “We can improve people’s health and productivity while protecting the most vulnerable people in our society.”
As for sustainability, Zheng points towards instruments such as the Sectoral Net Zero plan, Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, expanded national rating system NABERS and Commercial Building Disclosure schemes, stronger policy on refrigerant gases, and ongoing funding for three-yearly revisions to the National Construction Code.
The third focus area growing the number of people choosing to work in this field, is a key AIRAH priority. “It all starts with expanding the pipeline of talent,” Zheng says. “In schools, we need to keep engaging all students with STEM subjects. We also need to recognise the value of vocational education and training, rather than treating it like the poor cousin to university. This requires a holistic, nuanced approach – free TAFE places are a good start, but this must be supported by investment in the facilities and in the educators.”
This article first appeared in FM Media
