Schemes collaborate on R290 heat pump training

EUROPE: The Real Alternatives project and SkillSafe EU are to collaborate in a specialised training programme on the safe handling of flammable refrigerants and the use of R290 heat pumps.

This joint initiative is said to reflect a shared commitment to supporting the safe and sustainable transition towards low-GWP refrigerants across Europe, by strengthening skills, improving accessibility to training, and promoting harmonised standards.

Real Alternatives is a well-established European training and certification programme dedicated to alternative refrigerants, including hydrocarbons, CO2, ammonia and HFOs.

With training materials available in over 20 languages and implemented in more than 20 countries, Real Alternatives has become a recognised reference framework for skills development and certification in the HVACR sector across Europe. 

SkillSafe EU was formed in 2014 to develop guidelines to support the safe handling of outdoor-installed R290-based residential air-to-water monobloc heat pumps. Its specialised training programme, initially developed to be delivered as a in-person course, will be further developed into a digital learning module through its integration into the Real Alternatives e-learning platform.

According to those behind the new collaboration, the combination of SkillSafe’s focused expertise on R290 safety with the established infrastructure of Real Alternatives will strengthen access to high-quality training resources, support consistent safety practices, and enhance the availability of flexible, multilingual learning pathways.

In parallel, both projects will work towards aligning their certification approaches, with the objective of facilitating broader European recognition of acquired competences. The partnership will also include joint technical development activities, as well as the creation of shared dissemination tools.