Training Workshop for Refrigeration Technicians

On

"Good Practices in Refrigeration"

Orange Walk Town, Belize

Up-to-date, the training workshops for Refrigeration Technicians on “Good Practices in Refrigeration” held in Belize, have met its objectives. Since 2002, over 100 refrigeration technicians have been trained and certified by the Government of Belize.

In February 2007, the National Ozone Unit (NOU) in the Department of the Environment (DOE) embarked on the continuation of its Training Programme for Technicians in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sector in Belize, as part of the Refrigerant Management Plan Update (RMPU) for the Ozone Programme.

A training workshop was organize for two complete days: Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th February 2007 at the Institute for Technical & Vocational Education & Training (ITVET) on San Lorenzo Road, Orange Walk Town for technicians from the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts

The training workshop included several topics that are relevant to refrigeration technicians, including the Ozone Layer Issues, Good Practices in Refrigeration, Alternatives, among others. All technicians were presented the Proposed Refrigeration Technician Licensing Bill, which is expected to be enacted by the end 2007. All technicians are aware of the terms, requirements and policies of the Refrigeration Bill, and they are in full support in the formation the Association of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians of Belize. Refrigeration technicians country-wide are very interested in participating in the Training Workshops since it will be a requirement after the Bill is enacted.

At the end of the two-day workshop, participants were required to do a short examination which was prepared by the NOU and trainers. All participants passed the exam and were presented with a certificate of participation.

The overall evaluation of 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).

Participants

In total, Twenty Five(25) new refrigeration and air conditioning technicians participated in the workshop. Most of the participants had a strong background in refrigeration practices. They came from private sector companies and service workshops.

Facilitators

Mr. Leonides Sosa, National Ozone Officer, Department of the Environment, Presented the Scientific issues surrounding the ozone depletion issues and was also responsible for the local organization.

Mr. Martin Alegria, Senior Environmental Officer and Ozone Programme Coordinator, Department of the Environment

Mr. Jorge Franco, Environmental Technician, Department of the Environment

Mr. Anthony Bell, Technician, Private Sector

Mr. Hezron Hernandez, North Air Limited.

Mr. Rene Allen, Institute for Technical Vocational Education & Training.

Mr. John Banman, ACROSS