The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) has launched the Workforce Development Initiative under California’s F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP). The initiative aims to address the state’s shortage of qualified refrigeration technicians and support the transition to ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants.
Selected as the third-party administrator for FRIP through a competitive process, NASRC will implement a statewide strategy to strengthen the technician workforce. The program focuses on enhancing school programs, expanding training resources, improving recruitment, and providing hands-on experience with CO2 and R-290 systems.
Key activities include faculty training events in Central and Northern California, integration of ultra-low-GWP refrigerant curriculum into three to four schools by summer 2026, and the establishment of one to two training sites by fall 2026. NASRC also plans to organize two student recruitment events and two free training sessions for at least 300 technicians by April 2026.
Additional measures include an advanced workshop for 100 technicians on December 4, 2025, in Stockton, California, and the launch of a vendor-neutral, online CO2 course offering 800 hours of instruction by January 2026. A centralized online troubleshooting platform will also be developed in collaboration with industry partners.
“A successful transition to ultra-low-GWP refrigerants is fully dependent on the success of the technician workforce who will install, service, and maintain these systems,” said Danielle Wright, NASRC executive director.
Michael FitzGibbon, Branch Chief at the California Air Resources Board, stated: “Including contractors and technicians that service and install refrigeration systems throughout the State is integral to a zero-carbon future in California.”
