Hire education

Hire education

Industry often bemoans the fact that fresh engineering graduates are not prepared for HVAC&R work. AIRAH’s members in the ACT are doing something about it. 

What does a typical university student learn about HVAC&R in a mechanical engineering degree? Not enough, according to industry. Apart from some units on fluid dynamics and heat transfer, students don’t get much exposure to our world, and face a steep learning curve when they arrive in the sector. 

But universities are aware of the need for closer links between academia and industry, as evidenced by the recent dialogue between Australian National University and AIRAH’s ACT Division Committee. 

Starting the conversation 

ACT Division Committee Chair Adam McIntosh, M.AIRAH, says the conversation began in 2022 when he reached out to the university to volunteer an annual guest lecture connecting the HVAC industry with the engineering undergraduates. From there, he has maintained periodic catch-ups with the university to see how both AIRAH and the university can benefit from this connection. 

At the ANU’s request, the ACT Division Committee has provided detailed feedback on the areas and skills that they believe could be improved for engineering graduates entering the industry.  

“Students don’t get exposure to Australian Standards, for example,” says McIntosh. “The same goes for software commonly used in the industry, like CAMEL and REVIT, and the different types of equipment found in most buildings.” 

“Then there’s the liaison and consulting skills – there could always be more emphasis on these skills in university, which would provide benefits both internal and external to the HVAC&R industry. And it could also be useful for students to learn about Australia’s energy and building landscape, especially in locations like the ACT where it is changing quickly as buildings look to turn off the gas and electrify.” 

Apart from some units on fluid dynamics and heat transfer, students don’t get much exposure to our world, and face a steep learning curve when they arrive in the sector” 

Gradual graduate change 

University courses can’t change overnight, but the feedback can be used to enhance existing units. And engineers working in the industry can give guest lectures. Indeed, some of the ACT Division Committee will be presenting at ANU in semester two this year, after providing a similar guest lecture in 2023. 

Says McIntosh: “Among the rush of universities publishing academic papers and producing graduates, and the constant churn of the HVAC industry pursuing the next project while completing the last, relationships between the AIRAH and the universities are invaluable to ensure that the engineering profession is moving forward together.” 

Ecolibrium May 2024

This article appears in ecolibrium’s May 2024 issue

Want to read more?

AIRAH MEMBERS

Click here to view our archive of issues and features.

NON-MEMBERS

Become an AIRAH member or subscribe to Ecolibrium.

Shining stars

Shining stars

The winners of the 2024 AIRAH Awards have been announced at a black-tie gala dinner held at Crown Aviary Melbourne on Thursday, November 21. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements from across Australia’s HVAC&R building services industry. Around 200 guests...

Q&A with Anastasia Alexandrova 

Q&A with Anastasia Alexandrova 

Anastasia Alexandrova, M.AIRAH, was recently awarded her 10-year membership plaque at the 2024 AIRAH WA Members Lunch. We asked her to tell us a bit more about herself and what makes her tick. What is your job title?  Business Development Manager at Turner Engineering...

Coffee grounds fuel sustainable roads 

Coffee grounds fuel sustainable roads 

Researchers at RMIT University have developed an innovative technique that can make concrete 30 per cent stronger by turning waste coffee grounds into biochar. Laura Timberlake explores how the researchers are applying the innovation in the real world. Australia...

Could static power AC? 

Could static power AC? 

Researchers at RMIT have created an invention from waste polystyrene that generates static electricity from motion and wind.Created in collaboration with Riga Technical University in Latvia, the invention could lower power usage by recycling waste energy in air...

A nationwide NCC freeze?

A nationwide NCC freeze?

The Coalition has followed in the footsteps of the South Australian government, which earlier this year announced that it would not update the National Construction Code (NCC) for a decade.Opposition leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a suite of policies aimed at...

Transparency in the built environment  

Transparency in the built environment  

Standards Australia and the International Code Council have partnered to develop a new protocol that will enhance climate data transparency and operability internationally across the built environment.The two organisations joined forces at the 29th annual United...

Fairair

Advertisement