Cold Link Africa July/August 2019 | Page 24

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN DATES FOR THE YEAR So far the customer evenings have been very well attended with about 120 guests on average. This year, the team have already held customer evenings in: • Paarl/ Somerset West (2 February) Richards Bay (14 March) • Benoni (18 April) • Bloemfontein (16 May) and most recently • Johannesburg on 23 May. Upcoming events dates are as follows: • Nelspruit (18 July); • Port Elizabeth (15 August); • Vanderbijlpark (12 September); • Durban (17 October); • Cape Town (31 October); and • George (14 November). 1. The Metraclark internal sales training in progress. 2. Group picture of the Metraclark team who received sales training at the company’s head office in Johannesburg. 2 The remainder of the branches will be hosting their events in 2020. UPPING THEIR GAME Metraclark also hosted an internal sales conference at its head office in Denver, Johannesburg on 11 May to make sure its staff is well-trained on its product offerings and the sales process (among other things). CLA 1 Six new ammonia graduates for OTTC By Ilana Koegelenberg On 6 June, the Open Trade Training Centre (OTTC) in Springs, Johannesburg, celebrated the six new ammonia technicians who successfully completed their ammonia diplomas. T he graduation ceremony took place at OTTC and the graduates, some of their family members and some industry representatives were in attendance. Isolde Döbelin, director of OTTC, kicked things off by saying a few words about ammonia and the industry, highlighting that ammonia people always stick together. “You are in the right trade,” she said to the new graduates. “The world is open to you if you’re skilled in ammonia.” She said a few words about the lack of skills locally, sharing her dream for Skills City – a boarding school where students can completely immerse themselves in the trade. Döbelin spoke on the importance of standards and explained that OTTC trains its students to international standards. That’s why the training centre has always been heavily involved in the World Skills competitions, trying to uplift the industry and ensuring we measure up globally. The six students were called up individually to receive their diplomas from Dobelin and their lecturer, the very knowledgeable and experienced Kurt 24 1 Johannsen. The diploma covers both the theoretical and practical aspects of being an ammonia technician and requires 200 contact hours for the successful completion. Afterwards, Bob Vuletic of Energy Partners, who has done hundreds of ammonia installations in his illustrious career, said a few words about ammonia 2 applications and the potential of this refrigerant. “Ammonia will never die, it will only grow,” said Vuletic. He also highlighted the global problem with skilled technicians, commending Döbelin for the work she and her lecturers do for the industry. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed some refreshments and snacks. CLA www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 1. The new graduates show off their diplomas. From left: Isolde Döbelin (director); Alistair Schultz; Stephen Rholandt; Martin Krause; Nqaba Mbuyisa; Kurt Johannsen (lecturer); Xolani Mkhize; and Mathys van der Berg. 2. Isolde Döbelin (left) with Bob Vuletic, saying a few words about ammonia installations. COLD LINK AFRICA • July/August 2019