UNEP webinar: Greater use of naturals requires more technician training – Part 2

 

hydrocarbons21.com asked the panellists how they evaluate the present training and certification of natural refrigerants in European countries. Mr. Marco Buoni from AREA said: “In Europe there are a lot of different kinds of trainings available for CO₂, ammonia, hydrocarbons, especially in the UK, France and Northern Europe where natural refrigerants are more and more used. What is missing at the moment is the certification scheme and that is what AREA is working on now.”

 

 

Mr Tonko Curko, a researcher form Zagreb University introduced the Development of the ODS/F-GAS Certification System in Croatia. As part of the certification system, three-day training courses are organised in four training centres. All technicians that successfully completed the course are awarded a Certificate of training. Croatia has established a relatively comprehensive national training and certification system for refrigeration and air conditioning technicians.

 

 

Kadir Isa, Assistant Professor of Istanbul University introduced the importance of training and certification for the Turkish refrigeration and air conditioning industry, to improve energy efficiency. For Mr Isa having well-trained technicians is crucial for the sustainable development of Turkey’s refrigeration and air conditioning industry. Mr Isa stressed that demands for well-trained technicians with new skills will be created as new ‘green-collar’ occupations emerge to support adaptation to, and mitigation of, climate change in Turkey. In terms of training methods, Apart from the necessary adaptation of training courses, the Turkish refrigeration and air conditioning industry also needs adequate life-long learning and on-the-job training systems.