Tips To Choose The Ideal Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Training Centre

Demand for places on training courses in refrigerant handling and essential Air Conditioning

and Refrigeration (acr) technology and theory is expected to surge, following the recent introduction of tough new competence standards as part of the F-Gas Regulation.

The regulation requires all those handling refrigerant to take a new mandatory practical assessment and examination, currently being developed. In the UK, it had been thought that those holding the City and Guilds or CITB refrigerant handling certificates would meet the new minimum standards.

However, at a meeting in December the European Commission decided to impose much stricter requirements, significantly raising the bar for skill levels for the acr industry across Europe.

For the first time, engineers will have to undergo mandatory training and assessment in specific aspects of technology (including compressors, heat exchangers and other system components) as well as safe refrigerant handling and protecting the environment.

They will also face a test of their understanding of underpinning theory.

Mike Creamer, managing director of specialist Refrigeration, Refrigerants and Air Conditioning training provider Business Edge, said: Until the new assessment is in place sometime in the summer, we expect a rush for refresher courses in the fundamentals of acr technology, refrigerant handling and pipework and brazing.

The new assessment will, for the first time, test an engineers understanding of basic theory and the underlying principles behind refrigeration and air conditioning systems. This could catch people out. If you are not up-to-date, the message is - book up soon, to ensure your engineers and business are prepared.

The new requirements will affect up to 40,000 technicians in the UK who handle refrigerant or break into refrigeration and air conditioning plant as part of installation and maintenance work.

It will affect refrigeration and air conditioning contractors, installers and service engineers, as well as some hands-on maintenance staff employed by end users.

The new F-Gas compliance assessment is being developed by ACRIB, CITB and City and Guilds. Depending on the experience of the candidate, it is likely to require up to four days detailed practical and theoretical training. The assessment itself is likely to take around four hours.

Business Edge is planning to introduce the new course as soon as it is agreed. The first courses should be up and running by early summer of this year.

By law, all those affected must have the new certificate by January 2009.

In the interim they still need to comply with the existing requirements under the F-Gas regulations and the Ozone Depleting Substances Qualifications regulations.

Mike Creamer added: Effectively, it means that the whole of the UK workforce handling acr systems will now have to be re-certified. This is a huge task.

There is going to be a surge in demand for the new training. Realistically, it will not be possible to meet the deadline, as there simply isnt the capacity to achieve this.

It may be necessary for the Government to apply to the European Commission to extend the deadline, to enable the UK industry to train all those affected. However, it is still going to be a Herculean task.

The company, based in Waterlooville, Hampshire, is gearing up to meet demand and will be holding courses at its Hampshire headquarters and at regional centres across the UK. It is also offering to hold training at clients own premises.

Mr Creamer said: The message for companies affected is dont wait for the stampede. Make sure your engineers are covered - act now to secure the relevant courses.

Our strong advice is contact your preferred training provider now, and make sure your business is provided for.

Meanwhile, Business Edge has published its schedule of standard courses for the year, covering Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Pipework and Brazing, Ducted System Design, Essential Electrics, Introduction to Air Conditioning, Installation, Commissioning and Service Engineering, Basic Refrigeration Electrics, Refrigerant Safe Handling, VRF systems.

For more details, Business Edge can be contacted on 023 922 30007

by: Marcus Sen

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