© RACA Journal www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I April 2025 27
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TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION : BANKS ' DEDICATION TO HVAC EXCELLENCE
By Eamonn Ryan
Gordon Banks started late in the HVAC industry at the age of 30 , after gaining 14 years of experience working in the financial sector . He briefly worked for a refrigeration company before deciding to establish his own business in 1997 . He began his journey in the vehicular and air conditioning sectors during the days of R12 refrigerant . From there , he expanded into earthmoving and mining machinery , as well as bus air conditioning systems , specialising in 24-volt systems .
" I did a basic course in air conditioning and refrigeration at the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy ( ACRA ) with Mr Grant Laidlaw ," Banks recalls . " Little did I know that the friendship fostered during that time would one day lead me back to ACRA as a facilitator , assessor and moderator many years later ."
In 2002 , he completed his trade test at Olifantsfontein and continued to explore a wide range of air conditioning and refrigeration work . At that time , he also developed a passion for training . In 2008 , an opportunity arose to become a part-time lecturer at a FET college in Cato Manor , Durban , and Banks was eager to accept . He lectured part-time for three years , and some of the students he taught have since become qualified refrigeration mechanics — many of whom are still in contact with him nearly 15 years later .
In 2015 , a refrigeration contractor invited Banks to help form a business focused on repair work for refrigeration and air conditioning projects , particularly during commissioning stages . They also handled maintenance for various building HVAC systems in Durban , fulfilling SLAs ( service level agreements ) with the respective companies . During this three-year period , Banks held the position of financial and operational director .
In 2018 , Gordon returned to starting his own contracting business , providing air conditioning , refrigeration , and small project management services . While it was a great year for his business , when the opportunity arose for him to return to teaching , there was no hesitation .
At the beginning of 2019 , Gordon started as a facilitator at ACRA Durban in Umbilo . Later that year , he travelled to Germany to participate in the Cool Training initiative at the
Bundesfachschule Academy in Frankfurt . " The introduction to flammable refrigerants was only the start ," he explains . Since then , he has been appointed manager of the ACRA Durban branch and has worked with Laidlaw to develop training materials for various interventions .
Banks ' s passion for training is evident in the growth of ACRA in Durban , which has since moved to a 1 600m2 facility in Pinetown . In 2025 , ACRA is set to offer training in CO2 systems and reefer training , which will be unique to KwaZulu-Natal .
Banks shares more about his passion : “ Ever since I started out in the air conditioning and refrigeration trade , I ’ ve had a passion for training those who worked for me to be the best they could be . I ' ve had guys who have gone on to have great careers in our industry , and some assistants now own their own businesses because I believed in them and gave them the necessary prodding and training to get there . I see the need for more companies offering not only services but also employment , so that families can be supported and their socio-economic situations uplifted ."
Gordon is also an active participant in the NAMB ( National Artisan Moderation Body ) working group , where he has been working with other subject matter experts for over a year on developing the new occupational trade tests for South Africa .
His passion for the trade is evident in his involvement and personal growth within the education of the next generation of technicians in South Africa . He is also involved in designing new training equipment with Laidlaw , the managing director and owner of ACRA .
Through his involvement in SAIRAC and ACRA , Banks has been given the time and space to develop himself . He has served as the Durban SAIRAC chairman and now holds the position of SAIRAC vice president . RACA
© RACA Journal www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I April 2025 27