NEWS
TRAINING
Training C
arrier is offering three new Continuous Professional Development (CPD) courses
focusing on chiller efficiency and compliance in relation to the latest European and UK regulations. The modules, which have been certified by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), cover the impact on chiller design and performance requirements of the latest F-Gas and Ecodesign Directive, the operation and application of absorption chillers, and chiller efficiency in relation to the F-Gas Regulation. “The changes introduce new mandatory requirements with important implications for chiller design and performance. It is important that consultants, contractors and end users are aware of these, so they can make informed choices on equipment and ensure buildings comply with the new requirements,” said Neil Hitching, director, business development, Toshiba Carrier UK (TCUK). Given restrictions due to the Covid-
19 pandemic, Carrier is offering the courses online, enabling customers to participate remotely in the training sessions while continuing to collect CPD credits toward their personal annual targets.
Carrier’s chiller-based CPD courses
will run alongside TCUK’s established programme of CPD modules, which focus on Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems and split and multi-split systems. CIAT, one of Europe’s leading names in cooling, heating, and indoor air quality, also a part of Carrier, is currently developing courses centering
on air handling units and fan coils. “The aim is to create a complete programme of CPDs covering the spectrum of key HVAC technologies,” said Neil Hitching. “As an industry leader, we see it as an important part of our role to increase knowledge and raise technical standards. Based on feedback from attendees, we know the courses are valued and meet a pressing need for up-to-date guidance on the latest technology and legislation.”
T
he Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has opened its new online
Academy delivering a comprehensive programme of training courses, assessments and CPD for individuals, employers and training providers in the building services sector. Individuals will be able to access all of the resources needed to improve their existing skills and learn new ones while also keeping their qualifications and competencies up to date. The Academy will also help employers and managers ensure their workforces are fully qualified and able to comply with legislation and industry standards. It will also aid employers’ efforts to plug skills gaps by making access to the appropriate training easier, more flexible and, therefore, more appealing to a wider section of the population. All training modules are accessible from a smartphone, tablet or laptop whether the user is at home, at work or on the move. Training providers can also outsource the online learning elements of their courses to BESA freeing them up to focus on the aspects that require physical
participation. This development is particularly timely as many colleges are wrestling with social distancing restrictions that limit the amount of time students can spend on sites. “Online learning really came into
its own during the lockdown months,” said BESA president Neil Brackenridge. “It proved the value of being able to access course materials from anywhere and at any time, which is exactly the BESA Academy model. “Our plans were already well
advanced before the crisis hit, but the surge in demand for this kind of ‘blended’ model of online and physical training accelerated our efforts. The industry is moving rapidly into a new era and needs training that can adapt to our changing requirements.” Employers and workers benefit from the fact that courses can be accessed at any time and in any place so improving convenience and limiting disruption to working time. All courses are flexible and can be completed in ‘bite sized chunks’. Each Academy candidate receives an online ‘skills passport’ storing all their completed training, competencies, qualifications and CV in one place for ease of access. The BESA Academy will also help make specific building engineering training more affordable. “A lot of colleges had been forced to discontinue some engineering apprenticeships, for example, because they are more expensive and complex than other types of training,” said BESA’s director of training and skills Helen Yeulet. “Delivering more of the course content remotely will make it more economically viable.” The Academy also aims to attract a new generation of engineers to
the industry with younger people, in particular, used to accessing learning materials remotely and at their own convenience.
The Academy will also help with the process of re-deploying workers facing redundancy in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, who can quickly pick up additional skills to move from one part of the sector to another – so keeping vital expertise within the industry. The industry’s need to improve diversity is also reflected in the promotional material for the Academy, which features figures (‘BESA bods’) representing people from different gender, racial, age and disability backgrounds.
The Academy is launching with the support of several BESA affiliate members who have provided valuable training resources and more courses will be added in the coming months. One launch highlight is the BESA Health and Safety Environment course and test in partnership with Mitsubishi Electric. This six module programme covers the latest requirements for keeping workers safe and meeting new site operating procedures. With many of the industry’s test
centres currently struggling to clear their backlogs following the lockdown period, BESA expects rapid take up of this course because it can be accessed, completed and the test assessed online at the candidate’s convenience. A suite of free CPD courses is also being provided via the Academy supplied by BESA affiliate members Airflow, Altecnic, Flamco, HASL, Kingspan, TATA Steel and Swegon.
8 September 2020
www.acr-news.com
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