THE IMPORTANCE of THE IMPORTANCE of TRAINING & TRAINING &

CERTIFICATION IN CERTIFICATION IN TERMS OF ENERGY TERMS OF ENERGY

EFFICIENCYEFFICIENCY

DrDr KKadir iSA,adir iSA, Member ASHRAE Member ASHRAE

İstanbul University - TRİstanbul University - TR

UNEP OzonAction eGroup webinar «Training and Certification Schemes for Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technicians» in collaboration with Centro Studi Galileo, March 19, 2013

Having an educated and well-trained labour force emerges as a key factor for remaining competitive in the global economy. Although significant improvements have taken place, Turkey’s population is characterised by low levels of human capital (as measured by formal schooling).

Although development plans drafted in the 1970s and beyond placed the emphasis on vocational skills, and envisioned a share of 65% for the vocational and technical component of the secondary school system, this target has not been reached yet.

IN TURKEY?IN TURKEY?

As of 2009, only one out of three students enrolled in secondary schools was receiving vocational education.

By matching pre-market skills with the needs of the labour market, vocational school education is expected to help the graduates ease their way into the labour market. Statistics reveal that this is not happening – a significant majority continues with higher education.

IN TURKEY?IN TURKEY?

Significant New Trends in the RAC Industry as We Seek to Resolve the Issues of Increasing Energy Demand, Decreasing Supply and Environmental Impact.

Energy Efficient and Sustainable Energy Efficient and Sustainable FUTUREFUTURE

17% of fresh water consumption 39% of CO2 emissions 30% of waste generation 40% of energy use 55% of natural gas use 72% of electrical energy use

BUILDINGS MEANBUILDINGS MEAN

We ExpectWe Expect

- Highly Insulated Building Envelope

- Optimized use of Day lighting

- Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems with Demand Control

- Expanded use of Heat Pumps

- High Performance Packaged DX Systems

- On Going Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance

Commissioning, Operation and Commissioning, Operation and MaintenanceMaintenance

The RAC industry is a HUGE industry and consumes more energy than any other sector with the exception of transportation.  When people discuss energy efficiency, going green, saving money, the answer to all of these statements is properly sizedproperly sized, properly installedproperly installed, and properly maintained properly maintained RAC equipment. 

Properly Maintained Properly Maintained SystemsSystems

We certainly need to know more about how jobs are changing and tasks are developing, what knowledge, skills and competences people really have in RAC trade apart from their specific formal qualification and which skill mix they need to develop.

We also need to have a clearer idea of how supply and demand match. This information is crucial to understand if there is a risk of skill mismatches and overskilling in RAC trade.

SKILLS CHANGESKILLS CHANGE

Changes in the demand for skills and occupations are widely thought to be part of the main consequences of greening the economy. The following broad impacts can be identified:

Some skills will become obsolete due to structural changes in the labour market and employment shifts, both within and across sectors, due to demands for a greener economy.

Changing Demand for Changing Demand for SkiSkillslls

Demands for some new skills will be created as new ‘green-collargreen-collar’ occupations emerge to support adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

The skills required for existing jobs will have a stronger green element as existing occupational profiles change.

Green Collar: Helping to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or alltogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.

Changing Demand for Changing Demand for SkillsSkills

Developing a low-carbon, resource-efficient and competitive economy will firstly require a general up-skilling of the (potential) workforce. This will require substantial investment in efficient education and training.

The green challenge offers an excellent opportunity to implement a policy that is indispensable by all means: a good basic education provides the best foundation for developing one's skills throughout life.

GREEN CHALLENGEGREEN CHALLENGE

In many cases, topping-up available skills with some specific, green-oriented skills will be sufficient to allow for the transition to a greener job. Apart from the necessary adaptation of training courses in the context of active labour market policies, this calls for adequate life-long learning and on-the-job training systems.

GREEN CHALLENGEGREEN CHALLENGE

This type of learning is the responsibility of workers, employers and authorities alike, and calls for systems allowing for financing of training, possibly using some kind of career training accounts.

They should guarantee that the necessary up-skilling remains affordable and practicable. In addition, more emphasis is needed on training the trainers and enabling trainers and teachers to teach relevant new “greengreen” techniques.

GREEN CHALLENGEGREEN CHALLENGE

Most developed countries require training, apprenticeship and continuing education for someone to work in the RAC industry.  The RAC industry in some countries is viewed as a profession not just a trade.  

To maintain standard of living without paying too much for power or thermal comfort, we must change the mindset of building occupants and the people working on them.

Training FirstTraining First

Proper education of technicians, teach energy auditing and management, emphasize operation and maintenance, teach students to install and service equipment to manufacturers specifications. 

It all comes down to proper technician training and assessment!

Training FirstTraining First

Demonstrate Demonstrate AchievementAchievement

For the student, assessment can provide…

portfolio information for employment connections to industry certifications

Provide AccountabilityProvide Accountability

For the trade and government, assessments can provide…

common data for countrywide economic development plans

the mechanism for countrywide articulations

a component for awarding school/training center incentives

Gordon V.R. Holness P.E., ASHRAE, 2011 National HVACR Education & Trainers Conference.

Skills Supply and Demand in Europe, Medium-Term Forecast Up to 2020, European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, 2010.

Towards a Greener Labour Market –The Employment Dimension of Tackling Environmental Challenges, Final report endorsed by EMCO, November 10, 2010.

Kadir Isa, Ismail Ekmekci, H. Riza Güven, Expectations in Vocational and Technical Education in Turkey, Edu-World Conference, Romania, May 2004.

ReferencesReferences

Dr Kadir iSAIstanbul University Faculty of EngineeringMechanical Engineering DepartmentAvcilar Campus, 34320 Istanbul – TRT: +90 212 473 7070 / 17837F: +90 212 473 7081E: isa@istanbul.edu.tr kadir.isa@gmail.com

ContactContact