UNIDO-CSG F-Gas & Alternatives Training Course to RAC Technicians from Somalia

Centro Studi Galileo has just delivered a highly specialized training for 12 Somali Technicians in Istanbul, Turkey, that was commissioned by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and provided in cooperation with ISKAV (Isıtma Soğutma Klima Araştırma ve Eğitim Vakfı), CSG’s Turkish partner. 2020 has kicked off with a great engagement for Centro Studi Galileo, who played once again a leading role in international cooperation with one of the many “Train-the-Trainers” project. The event took place from 8 to 15 January in the ISMEK excellence training centre in Istanbul, Turkey; during the eight days, the Somali students could benefit from both theoretical and practical lessons, provided once again by CSG Expert Trainer Mr Gianfranco Cattabriga, who supported and instructed the Technicians with a two-part scheduled programme, mainly focused on F-Gases and Real Alternatives (the EU-funded blended learning programme, already translated in 15+ languages, that offers a study on flammable refrigerants, carbon dioxide and ammonia). The course was additionally characterised by site visits, practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises, plus a series of assessments, where the Technicians could prove their increased abilities. The lessons began after a live-stream welcome message by CSG Director Mr Marco Buoni, also President of AREA and Secretary General of ATF - the two reference points for the European and Italian RAC sector. After four intense days dedicated to learning and assessing best practices in refrigeration and air conditioning technologies working with fluorinated gases, a deep study on the use of low-GWP alternative and natural refrigerants piqued the group’s interest; in particular, the last two days’ training on carbon dioxide were hosted in Friterm Akademi’s premises.

Going along with the latest market trends, and nonetheless EU and UN’s guidelines, the Somali Technicians profited from a in-depth study on CO2’s characteristics, hazards, applications and design details, highlighting the necessary safety measures and having furthermore the opportunity to practice thoroughly in the laboratory.
At the end of this “Train-the-Trainers” experience the 12 Somali participants proudly acknowledged a growth in their personal skills and knowledge, being rewarded not only the F-Gas Certification (mandatory and legally recognized in all EU Member States) but also the Real Alternatives certificates for positively passing the assessments on flammable refrigerants, carbon dioxide and ammonia, which are also recognised all over Europe and strongly supported by leading Institutions i.e. the EU Commission and United Nations. This will allow them to instruct and support their fellows in Somalia, as the experienced Technicians showed their willingness to collaborate with their national HVACR sector, to increase its knowledge thanks to the recently developed experience.

This rewarding training course emphasises once more the leading role of Centro Studi Galileo, while renewing the longstanding and ongoing collaboration with United Nations(*) and the most important training centers all around the world, such as the Turkish partner ISKAV – thanks to these cooperation, CSG guarantees the best quality and tools to its students in national and international courses.

(*)UNIDO is the UN agency dedicated to promoting and increasing the industrial development of member states, in order to reduce poverty and help emerging economies.