Guide to “natural” refrigerants training

BELGIUM: Natural refrigerants body Shecco has produced a definitive guide for those seeking training providers, knowledge sources and partners in the use of CO2, NH3 and hydrocarbons.

The Guide to Natural Refrigerants Training in Europe 2017, analyses survey responses and opinions from over 340 participants. Other topics covered in the broad-ranging 132-page study include major trends in training on CO2 in Europe, an analysis of barriers and drivers of training in Europe.

Despite generally held perceptions that a lack of training among technicians and installers is a barrier to wider uptake of “natural” technologies, this new report suggests that training is in fact readily available for those who need it.

From the respondents to the survey, the guide identifies 193 companies or organisations offering training in natural refrigerants. France has the largest choice with 40 training providers, followed by the UK with 34, Germany 18 and Spain 15.

Not surprisingly, survey participants identified the need to comply with legislative requirements as one of the biggest drivers for companies and individuals to seek natural refrigerants training. The cost of investing in training – both in terms of attending and offering courses – was singled out as the biggest barrier, closely followed by a perceived lack of available facilities in some parts of Europe.

For almost a third of the organisations offering it, CO2 training represents around 11-25% of their total training activities. For 16%, however, CO2 training was their main activity, representing 81-100% of their total business.

By contrast, over half of those offering hydrocarbon training indicated it represents only 1-10% on their overall business, while for another quarter it is between 11-25%.

While cost is seen as a barrier to training, the Shecco survey found that over a third of the respondents offer their courses free of charge. For the rest, course prices varied widely between €100 to €5,000 per course per person. Most, however, were quoted at around €500.

In addition to a brand range of background material on “natural” refrigerants, this definitive guide provides an essential listing and analysis of training providers, by location, refrigerant, application sector, type of training, education level etc.

The Guide to Natural Refrigerants Training in Europe 2017 can be viewed and downloaded here.