Training Workshop for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians

On

“Good Practices in Refrigeration”

Institute for Technical and Vocational Education & Training (ITVET)

Belize City

20th & 21st August, 2008

In 2007, Belize developed a Terminal Phase-out Management Plan (TPMP) which will aid the country to comply with its objectives in phasing out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by 1st January 2010. The activities to be undertaken under component 1 of the TPMP are designed to continue strengthening good refrigeration practices in the country by upgrading the skills of technicians in Good Refrigeration Practices, Recovery and Reuse of refrigerants and by introducing Drop-in replacement refrigerants, including hydrocarbons.

On the 20th and 21st of August 2008, Belize conducted a Technician’s Training Workshop In “Good Practices in Refrigeration” as part of its planned activities under the TPMP. This was a continuation of the activities implemented under Belize’s RMP and RMPU in which over 300 refrigeration and air conditioning technicians were trained and certified.

In total, Nineteen (19) new refrigeration and air conditioning technicians participated and completed the training workshop. Most of the participants had a strong background in refrigeration practices. They came from private sector companies and service workshops.

The Belize NOU will conducted more training seminars in the near future since there are more technicians who have not attended the training course. The NOU and trainers are also working towards training sessions for technicians specializing in mobile air conditioning (MAC) only.

The overall evaluation of the training workshop participation was very good. All participants that completed the training returned the evaluation questionnaire. All evaluation sheets reveal that candidates were satisfied with the training received giving an overall mark of 4, (5 being the top mark of excellent).

Facilitator:

Mr. Leonides Sosa, National Ozone Officer, Department of the Environment

Lecturers/Trainers:

1. Mr. Anthony Bell, Technician, Private Sector
2. Mr. Hezron Hernandez, North Air Limited.
3. Mr. Rene Allen, Institute for Technical Vocational Education & Training.
4. Mr. John Banman - MAC Technician.