Electrotechnology technicians remain one of the areas of occupations in Australia with national skill shortages. With troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving identified as three of the top generic skills in demand in electrotechnology, the need for better training and high-quality educational equipment is very high.
Electricians are needed in residential and industry, from mining, manufacturing, energy, construction, renewables, industrial refrigeration, and air-conditioning. These work domains demand a deep understanding of equipment and adherence to safety protocols. Therefore, aspiring technicians need to work with high-quality educational equipment during their training period and pass the competency assessment before being allowed to work in the industry.
Electrotechnology students learn about electrical wiring, power supply, insulation resistance, polarity, earthing, open/short circuit, and other aspects of electrical systems. The ideal electrotechnology training equipment will allow teachers to simulate faulting scenarios that resemble real-world situations and also allow them to assess students’ progression.
Moreover, trainers/instructors must be able to use the equipment to teach apprentices the correct fault-finding techniques, fill skill gaps, and teach them about working in a safe and effective atmosphere. These will assist them in making the classroom experience more engaging and inspiring students to accomplish their learning objectives much more quicker.
Four main challenges that an electrotechnology educational trainer must address:
While electrotechnology educational trainers are already in use in both vocational institutions and industries, not every piece of equipment meets the electrical course requirement. There are some challenges that electrotechnology educational training equipment must address, to be able to cater to the changing needs of the industry.
Engaging Students in the Classroom
Often trainers waste hours in preparation for any practical exercise because the required components are all over the place, while their time could be better-spent training and keeping the students engaged. As students learn at different paces, instructors must be able to use the demonstrator to cater to the needs of every student easily.
Embedded with up-to-date technology
With the rapidly evolving landscape and technology, instructors must keep pace with the latest requirements and regulations from the industry. Therefore, they need to be supported with quality equipment that are flexible and can accommodate the new learning requirement. This minimizes the occasion of purchasing new equipment as the existing equipment can be easily adjusted to accommodate the changing requirement.
Safety & Hazards
It is essential to create a culture of safety within the training environment. This involves promoting a strong sense of responsibility for individual and collective safety among trainees, instructors, and other staff. Emphasizing the importance of following established safety procedures and immediately reporting any unsafe conditions can help to prevent accidents and injuries.
Training on Renewables
People are more concerned than ever before about developing ecologically beneficial projects, including technologies to improve energy efficiency, conserve water, and generate clean power. Electrical engineers and researchers are placed with the responsibility of developing resources that assist organizations in establishing sustainable practices. Therefore, it becomes crucial for the equipment to have the capability for optional renewable modules and allow teachers to train students to test for correct isolation practices with multiple energy resources.
In Australia, electrotechnology education is primarily offered through the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. The VET system provides a range of electrotechnology courses that cater to different levels of learners, from school students to apprentices, to experienced electricians looking to update their skills.
The VET system offers both on-campus and off-campus training, with courses covering topics such as electrical principles, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. In addition to these theoretical aspects, the VET system also emphasizes practical training, with students being provided with hands-on experience in simulated and real-world environments. One of the key features of electrotechnology education in Australia is the focus on safety. Safety is a critical aspect of electrotechnology. All electrotechnology courses in Australia emphasize the importance of safe work practices, the use of personal protective equipment, and compliance with relevant regulations.
Taking all those into consideration, Bestech Australia collaborates with local instructors and training organizations to develop innovative electrical teaching panels for training and capstone assessment in Electrotechnology. The design of this Bestech 710B panel complies with AS/NZS 3000:2019 and aids in the practical evaluation of a student’s performance in their course with up to 48 integrated faults. It also meets the requirements of UEENEEG105A (to test the compliance and functionality of low voltage general electrical installations) and UEEEL0039 (Design, Install, and Verify Compliance and Functionality of General Electrical Installations).
The test boards have been used in numerous RTOs and TAFEs in Victoria and nationally in units from the 1st year to the students studying for their LET (License Electrician Theory), LEP (License Electrician Practical), SWP (Safe Work Practice) as well as construction wiring and mandatory testing. With its mobility and flexibility, students of all groups can experience the practical applications of being able to test an installation without having to leave the classroom.
Bestech Australia is committed to supporting workforce development in Australia to address the national skill shortages in critical fields with high-quality educational equipment. Contact one of our instructors and specialists to initiate the discussion on your teaching requirement by calling 03 9540 5100 or visiting www.bestech.com.au for more information.
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