2.5 Training of Technicians

Technical training is the backbone of the HVAC&R industry and what enables it to continue evolving and embracing new technologies. Indeed, it is the lack of technicians’ training and qualifications that is cited by many industry players as a key deterrent to the adoption of natural refrigerant-based technology.

However, as other factors, like government policy changes, drive the uptake of natural refrigerant systems, greater attention had been given to training. In 2021 and beyond, many stakeholders, from OEMs to schools and associations, have been stepping up their training offerings for natural refrigerants, taking away this obstacle to rapid deployment.46

Across the industry, many OEM providers of natural refrigerant equipment to supermarkets and industrial operators are confident that training opportunities are available, to the point where natural refrigerant training has become an expected commodity. At the same time, educational institutions are increasing training offerings that include certifications.

The COVID-19 pandemic cut into in-person training opportunities in 2020 and 2021, moving some to the internet. But the need for hands-on instruction has driven the resumption of in-person training in most instances. At the same time, free online instruction, such as that offered by Danish OEM Advansor on commissioning and servicing of CO2 refrigeration systems, remain a vital component of natural refrigerant training.47

A good example of the growing support for natural refrigerant training occurred this year when the Center for Energy Technology (ZET) at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, provided a commercial-size air-conditioning system using CO 2 as the refrigerant to the Kulmbach Vocational School Center (BSZ), in Kulmbach, Germany, for vocational training and research.48

Overcoming the barrier

While greater adoption of natural refrigeration systems is forcing the development of more training opportunities for technicians, the upsurge in training is also leading to more support for natural refrigeration. This is removing a key barrier to natural refrigerant adoption and giving confidence to end users considering these systems for the first time. At the same time, many regions still lack sufficient training and will need to address that issue to ensure the transition to natural refrigerants.