Following the completion of the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) qualification Level 2 to Level 4 in 2022, the DIVT has conducted a two-day workshop for the HVAC experts to compile the apprenticeship training guidelines. The experts are the same ones who developed the HVAC qualification together with the HVAC trade testing standards.

The development of the HVAC qualification was co-funded by the Eswatini Environmental Authority (EEA) and the Technical and Vocational Skills Certification Project of the Taiwan Technical Mission. The apprenticeship training guideline workshop is fully funded by the Technical and Vocational Skills Certification Project and started on April 20 and will end on April 21, 2023 at the DIVT boardroom.

The apprenticeship training programme takes 5 years and the experts are required to allocate the competencies harvested from the qualification to each level of the programme. The HVAC apprenticeship programme is new in the country and once the experts finalize the training guidelines; it will be taken to the Engineering Training Advisory Committee for approval. Industries would then have to collect the apprenticeship training guidelines and apprenticeship contract at the DIVT to enrol their apprentices.

Upon completion of the 5-year programme, the apprentices are given certificates and are exempted from taking Grade 3 and Grade 2 trade tests but allowed to take Grade 1. Remission of maximum two years is granted to national diploma certificate holders and for other holders of certificates, it varies.  For remission, an apprentice is required to provide a supporting letter from his or her employer.