Bangkok, Thailand, 21 March 2022 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP), Asia and the Pacific Office organized a virtual thematic workshop on the integration of Good Servicing Practices (GSP) into national Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Systems to promote a competency-based certification programme to continue efforts on knowledge and experience sharing among National Ozone Officers’ Networks of South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands Countries. The workshop held on 17 March 2022, is part of a series of workshops/meetings on integrating GSP into national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) servicing technicians.
The skill level and qualifications of people working in the refrigeration servicing sector is critical for the success of the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty that controls ozone depleting and global warming gases known as HCFCs and HFCs, which are widely used as refrigerants. The proper training of technicians, and a national system to certify that they have successfully acquired the necessary knowledge and skills, are important elements of national compliance strategies.
The thematic workshop, which OzonAction organized with support from the Protocol’s Multilateral Fund, was attended by 280 participants (211 male and 69 female) from National Ozone Units (NOUs) and national TVET authorities, as well as RAC servicing technician training experts in the Asia Pacific region.
During the first session, Ms. Qingrui Huang, UNEP consultant, introduced the contents of the draft practical guidebook, ‘Integration of GSP into National TVET system for RAC Technicians’, including examples of successful experiences and best practices of countries that have already integrated GSP into their TVET system. Following the presentation, participants shared updated information on the progress that has been made at the national level and discussed key competency elements of GSP, the integration process, as well as how an NOU could facilitate the process through HCFC Phase out Management Plan (HPMP) activities, etc. The draft guidebook will be circulated to countries for further feedback to ensure that it suits the countries’ needs.
“In the Philippines, the RAC and mobile air conditioning sectors play a vital role in the implementation of the Montreal Protocol to phase out ozone-depleting substances and in order to improve the service level in the refrigeration trade, Technical Education and Skill Development Authority provides training courses and issues technician certifications which are designed to enhance the knowledge, desirable attitudes, and skills in the field of RAC services in accordance with industry standards”, said Mr. Dave Mabazza, the Philippines Ozone Desk. He further added, “The course structure is guided by the ‘Code of Practice for Refrigeration and Air-conditioning’ approved and adopted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Environmental Management Bureau, which was developed based on the minimum acceptable standards for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol.”
Mr. Pipat Poopeerasupong, UNEP Montreal Protocol’s Programme Management Officer at the Asia Pacific Office, delivered a presentation on various refrigerant servicing sector (RSS) management regulations that countries have enacted and/or are being considered, and the role that RPL plays in RSS management in providing a more level playing field for both formally and informally trained technicians. RPL is necessary for countries rolling out a formal certification scheme to ensure that those technicians who have not been formally trained but have been working in the RAC servicing sector for many years are able to retain their jobs. After the presentation, participants shared their ideas and discussed the importance of RSS management regulations and the need to promote the RPL scheme. They also highlighted their different experiences on GSP integration among countries.
Mr. Sangay Dorji from the Ministry of Labor, Royal Government of Bhutan, commented that, “RPL is part of the overall TVET program to provide flexibility for the aspiring candidates to acquire TVET qualifications. GSP has to be part of the RAC standard and curriculum. And an assessment through RPL is conducted like any other normal assessment which is done as per the assessment guidelines, rules, and regulations.”
Dr. Ajith, Director (Planning) of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) in Sri Lanka introduced their RPL development, “In Sri Lanka, TVEC is running an electronic RPL (eRPL) system where processing of RPL applications happen as a paperless operation. It provides very quick processing than before. Reliability and authenticity of the process is ensured and strengthened by the upgraded new system." Sri Lanka further commented that, the preparation of a situational and needs assessment report was also conducted in respect of RAC service technicians which aims to strengthen the RPL system in Sri Lanka and the NOU Sri Lanka financially and technically supported the training of RPL candidates last year with a plan to resume this year’s activity under the HPMP programme led by Ms. Modeeka Tilakarathna, Assistant Director, NOU, Ministry of Environment.
Mr. Michael Moller, UNEP’s consultant, elaborated on key elements of the GSP in the context of the Montreal Protocol and in the preparation of resources and conducting competency-based training and assessment using the RPL scheme. He also provided a short introduction on the upcoming phase II virtual trainings in 2022 that will focus on more practical experiences for technicians including flammable refrigerants servicing techniques.
This virtual thematic workshop is the second in a series of thematic workshops in alignment with UNEP’s approved 2022 CAP Workplan. UNEP CAP is currently developing a practical guidebook that incorporates comments, inputs and recommendations received from NOUs and national TVET authorities.
For more information:
Mr. Shaofeng Hu
Senior Montreal Protocol Regional Coordinator
UNEP, Compliance Assistance Programme (CAP)
Asia and Pacific Office
Email: hus[at]un.org
