Plugging skills gap in low GWP refrigerants

BRUSSELS: A number of European industry bodies are behind a new initiative to address the skills shortage amongst acr technicians working with alternative refrigerants (CO2, hydrocarbons, ammonia and HFOs).

REAL Alternatives is a European-wide learning programme designed to improve knowledge in the service and maintenance of these refrigerants in new systems from the point of view of safety, efficiency, reliability and containment.

Delivered through a mix of e-learning, face-to-face training materials, practical exercises, assessments and an e-library of learning resources, the programme will bring together industry knowledge and expertise from across Europe. REAL Alternatives will also build on the established REAL Skills Europe & REAL Zero containment approaches.

This two year project is led by a consortium of seven partners from across Europe and is co-funded by the EU Lifelong Learning Programme.

With project management provided by the UK’s Institute of Refrigeration, other bodies involved with the project include the London South Bank University; Limburg Catholic University College (KHLim), Belgium; the Italian association of refrigeration and air conditioning engineers, ATF; IKKE training centre Duisburg, Germany; Association of European Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Contractors (AREA) and the Polish recycling programme, PROZON.

A programme website will shortly be launched at www.realalternatives.eu, where interested parties will be able to find out more about the programme, volunteer shared resources or register for updates.

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