Cold Link Africa Cold Link Africa_Sept_digital | Page 16

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Port Elizabeth
Milan Demko (UNIDO) on left with Ronald Viskil (Unicorn) at
the PE roadshow.
Port Elizabeth
From left: Gloria Tettey (UNIDO); Maria Makarova (UNIDO); and Ronald Viskil (Unicorn).
Port Elizabeth
The PE roadshow in session.
Port Elizabeth
After the roadshow, attendees enjoyed some lunch. From left: Piet le Roux (LRX Marketing);
Allan Gaia (Kovco); Peter Pretorius (Cooling Excellence Refrigeration); Michael Labacher
(A-Gas); and Jenny Brent (Metraclark).
There is an issue of concern particular to
the competence of these technicians
when working on natural refrigerants that
could hold health and safety risks.
That is why the DEA is working with
the South African Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Contractors’ Association
(SARACCA) to assist in training servicing
technicians. As such, they have started to
develop a servicing technician strategy.
“We want to upskill people
managerially and technically,” explained
Molefe, who followed on to say that she
has a very high concern for demographic
disparities and discrimination against
women in this sector. Out of SARACCA’s
more than 2 000 registered technicians,
only 30 are women. “Even more frustrating
is that when we had a pilot study with
the Capricorn TVET college, we found
that the refrigeration and air-conditioning
sector is rejecting to offer in-service
training or internship to female students,”
she explained. “This is exacerbating the
problem of getting female in-service
technicians. This is a serious problem.”
She emphasised the importance of
upskilling service technicians, stating that
South Africa has close to 9 000 servicing
technicians who need to be upskilled to
minimise the safety risk. The aim is to train
at least 2 000 of these over the next five
years. “Currently, for this financial year,
we are planning to train at least 400.”
Molefe concluded by explaining that
the ODS regulation amendment is
currently in progress and the concept
document is being drafted. She
went through some of the suggested
changes, mentioning the possible
banning of disposable refrigerant
cylinders and an updated tariff code
classification for blended HFCs.
COMMISSION 1: HFC
MANAGEMENT
After the tea break, guests split into three
groups to discuss various topics relating
Port Elizabeth
John Ackermann of SARDA asking a question.
Port Elizabeth
A group picture of the PE attendants.
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COLD LINK AFRICA • September 2018