Women in Refrigeration: Training and Skills to Spread the Culture of Refrigeration

The RACHP sector's transition depends not only on the introduction of new refrigerants or technological advances, but also on the ability to train qualified professionals capable of transferring technical expertise to their respective markets. In a sector increasingly focused on safety, energy efficiency, and climate impact reduction, training of trainers plays a crucial role.

A recent international Train-the-Trainers programme, organised in Casale Monferrato and addressed to a delegation of eleven Asian teachers from the RAC sector, focused on this very objective: strengthening the technical and methodological skills needed to promote good practices in refrigeration and air conditioning , with particular attention to the management of F-Gases and the safe use of natural refrigerants .

Train trainers to strengthen national capacities

Training trainers is a strategic lever for building stronger and more widespread skill systems. In countries where the refrigeration and air conditioning sector is rapidly growing, the availability of qualified trainers enables the transfer of up-to-date knowledge to technicians, installers, and maintenance personnel, promoting the dissemination of safer procedures consistent with international standards.

The program involved participants from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, and Nepal, confirming the importance of technical cooperation between countries and the sharing of best practices . The goal is not only to provide theoretical updates, but also to develop skills capable of generating a multiplier effect in the participants' home markets.

For the refrigeration industry, this approach is particularly relevant because the ongoing changes require professionals capable of connecting regulations, safety, efficiency, and operational practices. The progressive reduction of HFCs, the spread of natural refrigerants, and increased safety requirements make increasingly structured technical training essential.

Natural refrigerants, safety and good operating practices

One of the core topics of the course focused on the management of alternative and natural refrigerants, including HFOs, hydrocarbons, CO₂, and ammonia. The transition to fluids with a lower climate impact requires specific knowledge of the characteristics of refrigerants, their conditions of use, and the procedures to be followed during installation, maintenance, and system testing.

The activities explored various technical and operational aspects :

• good installation and piping practices;
• design of sealing and vibration reduction systems;
• pressure and vacuum tests and post-intervention checks;
• loss detection and recovery management;
• correct use of calibrated tools and personal protective equipment;
• procedures to limit emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Particular attention was also paid to flammable refrigerants such as R290 and R600a, which are increasingly used in RAC and RACHP applications. In these cases, operational safety depends on technicians' ability to assess risks, components, intervention methods, and environmental conditions before proceeding with field operations.

Inclusion and certification: a new generation of skills for the cold

The initiative's value also lies in its all-female participation . In a sector historically dominated by men, strengthening the role of women in refrigeration represents a catalyst for innovation, inclusion, and professional growth. Technical skills are not only a response to the environmental transition, but also a tool for broadening participation and making the supply chain more open and representative.

The course also addressed the topic of national certification systems, with in-depth analyses of occupational standards, assessment methodologies, theoretical and practical tests, competency-based assessment criteria, and tools for assessing technicians' actual preparation. This is a crucial step in developing recognized, consistent, and truly applicable training programs across different national contexts.

For the refrigeration sector, the direction is clear: the diffusion of more sustainable technologies requires a solid foundation of skills, qualified trainers, and programs capable of widespread knowledge transfer. Only a prepared, inclusive, and up-to-date supply chain can support the transition to more efficient, safer systems that are consistent with international climate goals.