AIRAH Trade Group Introduces Accreditation Program for Engineers

The Melbourne-based Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) has introduced an accreditation program for mechanical engineers and HVAC&R professionals.

The AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer (ARPEng) accreditation program is welcomed news for mechanical engineering in Australia, said AIRAH CEO Tony Gleeson. “It has been a considerable anomaly that engineering is one ofthe few professions not to have a mandatory licensing scheme.”

HVAC&R News, AIRAH’s news website, describes the program as something to fill this gap. “ARPEng has been designed to meet the requirements of the Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) and other state-based schemes as they are released,” said the site. “AIRAH is in the process of lodging applications to become an assessment scheme for the Queensland and Victorian professional registration schemes.”

The ARPEng program represents a badge of competence. “A successful application to become an ARPEng will display to the industry – and to the public at large – an individual’s qualifications and commitment to the discipline,” Gleeson said. “It confirms their skills, professional development and training are up to date, and that they are a qualified professional.”

ARPEng applicants need a minimum of five years of work experience as a mechanical engineer in the field of building services; further information on necessary requirements can be found here.

Accreditation will last for “three years, contingent on ongoing CPD (continuing professional deveopment) activities (150 hours of CPD over a three-year period, with a minimum of 50 hours each year) and adherence to AIRAH Membership and AIRAH Registered Professional Engineer By-Laws.