Thimphu, Bhutan, 4 October 2021 – With active local organization of the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of Bhutan, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), assisted Bhutan to deliver a four-day virtual training programme on Good Servicing Practices on low-GWP and flammable refrigerants. Eighty-seven participants (including 13 female technicians) from Bhutan and Asia-Pacific region attended the workshop between 28 June and 1 July 2021.
Due to the protracted pandemic situation and the associated social distancing measures put in place by the Government, Bhutan like many other developing countries could not implement its capacity building programmes for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) servicing technicians. With the virtual training initiative, the NOU positively overcame numerous challenges. “We connected technicians via WhatsApp, in adhering to the established COVID protocol, the trainees joining the virtual training in a communal setting at a training centre set up by the NOU had to be divided into smaller rooms, while others connected to the training from their respective workplaces. In anticipation of the training, the NOU collaborated with the training centre to upgrade the internet facilities, set up more screens, and conduct dry run tests in the days before the training to overcome any other challenges like language barriers and classroom management. Throughout the four-day training programme, the NOU was mindful of the pandemic situation; the refreshments and lunch meals were served in different rooms” said Ms. Kunzang, the National Ozone Officer of Bhutan.
“We are happy with the training results. The trainer shared new skills and knowledge with us, and also delivered some practical demonstrations of specific procedures. The NOU assessed the internet connection prior to the training and informed us about the training content. Virtual training is not the best, but it is a good alternative during this difficult time”, said Ms. Dechen Lham, a trainee from the western region of Bhutan.
The training is one in a series of virtual trainings organized by UNEP OzonAction in Bangkok to continue good practices training for servicing technicians in the Asia-Pacific region and also to assist the NOUs in delivering their capacity building programmes under the respective HCFC Phaseout Management Plans (HPMP) and enabling activities projects.
The virtual training was based on four modules, with a duration of three hours each:
• Module 1: Good Practices in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
• Module 2: Low GWP Alternative Refrigerants
• Module 3: RAC Installation
• Module 4: Repairs and Maintenance
Development of these training modules sort to address the training needs of new and experienced technicians alike, incorporating emerging technologies such as electronic metering devices, air conditioning heat load calculation, economizer applications, safe handling practices of flammable refrigerants, and management of low-GWP alternative refrigerants.
The training programme was initiated in January 2021 and reached its end in September 2021. As a first of its kind, around 2,000 technicians in total participated in 84 virtual training modules delivered either in group settings or through individual devices from their offices or homes from 31 countries including Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Iran, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. Industry experts and technicians from Japan and Singapore also attended sessions with other countries.
“We do appreciate the cooperation of NOUs for the successful conduct of the virtual trainings. We also thank Mr. Michael Moller, UNEP consultant, who has many years of experience in delivering training for the RAC servicing technicians, especially in the Pacific Island Countries. With the positive feedback received from countries, we are planning to have a second phase of virtual trainings for our region”, said Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator, UNEP.
The virtual training programme is part of the approved work programme for the CAP during the year 2020-2021.
For more information
Mr. Shaofeng Hu
Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator
UNEP, CAP, Asia and Pacific Office
Email: hus[at]un.org
