The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) ActionOzone, as part of its mandate with the Multilateral Fund for the Application of the Montreal Protocol, continues to support training and strengthening actions capacity in Article 5 countries, particularly in French-speaking Africa.
From December 8 to 10, 2020 was held at the Abbé David Boilat pedagogical training center in Mbour a training course for trainers in refrigeration and air conditioning serving in vocational training centers in Senegal, organized by the National Ozone Office and chaired by Ms. Reine Marie Badiane, Coordinator of the National Ozone Program of the Environment Department. The trainees were welcomed by Mr. André Niane, Director of the David Boilat Center and their expert trainer, Mr. Louis Ndiaye.
Senegal 2In her opening speech, the National Coordinator stressed that, despite the disparate level of trainers participating in the course, she was encouraged by the number of participants who accepted this great initiative to upgrade teachers in refrigeration and air conditioning. .
The training, which took place over three days, aimed to build the capacity of refrigeration and air conditioning teachers in the fields of new technologies and new refrigerants, alternative solutions to the old fluids used.
In addition to a reminder of basic physical and methodological notions, this training will have provided new knowledge on the physical properties of new fluids and the appropriate techniques, and familiarization with good practices, through theoretical and practical educational activities in the form of workshops. , scenarios or educational visits on site.
These activities will have enabled participants to personally experience the different situations encountered in the field, and gave rise to fruitful exchanges allowing the learning to be determined which will in turn be transmitted by the trainers to their students.
It is highly recommended that these capacity building actions be followed over the medium and long term so that the trainers are always up to date, in relation to the evolution of technologies and good practices, and continue to provide professional education. quality. Moreover, one of the flagship recommendations of this meeting, expressed by Ms. Reine Badiane, was to continue this momentum, by stepping up the same exercise.
A working group has been set up, which is to meet at the beginning of February, with the aim of establishing a certification system for refrigeration technicians, as well as for training centers.
The speakers thank the David Boilat educational center for its welcome and the provision of its facilities
Regional coordinator Yamar Guissé stressed that it is very important to put all trainers at the same level of technical understanding with respect to the Montreal Protocol, new technologies and alternatives available on the international market and adapted to the African context.
This training is a good example for the entire French-speaking region of Africa that, even in the difficult context of COVID-19, training can be organized. In addition, it is always necessary to supplement and update the knowledge of trainers in order to ensure quality training. He also points out that in the Mbour workshop 35% of the trainee trainers were women, which should be encouraged.
