Training

Overview

Different companies have widely divergent views on the value and benefits of training, whether this is in-house training for directly employed staff, or product based training for customers.

We are all the product of some form of training system, whether this be the time we spent at school learning the basics of grammar and arithmetic, or the less formal times spent with an enthusiastic parent, or older brother or sister, learning a sport or a musical instrument. As we progress through life we are constantly on the receiving end of someone else's superior knowledge of a particular discipline.

Airedale invests large amounts of time, effort and money in training. The company has an in-house training scheme which enables employees to reach NVQ level 3 in their respective disciplines. The in-house air conditioning course is divided into modules which are taken over a flexible period of time, and which also form the basis of commercial training courses offered to end users, installers and customers.

External courses

The external courses are generally run in the factory environment which offers distinct advantages over courses held at other venues. The factory is fully equipped to provide high levels of hands-on training, and the state of the art Test Centre is featured in some aspects of the training courses.

Airedale also has a fully equipped training centre which offers direct instruction on a wide variety of units, including split systems, chillers, packaged products, refrigerated display units and close control air conditioners. The training centre is fully fitted out with all the necessary refrigerant handling equipment, brazing assemblies, pressure testing and charging equipment.

Independent

Airedale's internal and external courses are run by a highly qualified and experienced independent trainer. This gives delegates a much more balanced view of the course content and materials. The courses focus on the principles of air conditioning operation and design, and are not simply a product training course focussing on a narrow range of units manufactured by the course provider - an area where many course organisers fall down. Delegates want to learn about the industry and not be bombarded with a single manufacturer's product offerings.

The company maintains regular contact with Leeds and Bradford Universities, and many colleges of technology throughout the country. This link involves Airedale in a variety of research programmes which eventually feed back into its on-going training schemes.

Many contracting and end user organisations consistently choose Airedale courses, and it is not at all that unusual in such companies for the entire team of engineers to have attended one or more Airedale courses.

Courses on offer

The Airedale courses span a wide variety of disciplines and include both theoretical and hands-on practical instruction, on real units in real situations.

Airedale also runs CITB courses on a regular basis. These focus on the safety and environmental aspects of air conditioning practice, ensuring that engineers can attain the national standards expected by many end user organisations.

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Legislation

Throughout the programme of instruction, at whatever level, the relevant legislation is considered in sufficient detail to enable delegates to understand the legal position with regards to refrigerant handling and phase out. Where relevant, the courses also focus on energy efficiency legislation, and pay particular attention to the implications of the Climate Change Levy and Building Regulations.

Looking ahead

Airedale is constantly looking for ways to improve its programme of training courses, whilst also developing courses in new areas and disciplines. The majority of the courses currently available relate to medium temperature systems, but demand is rising for a wider range of temperature applications including commercial refrigeration, cold rooms and process cooling.

New areas are constantly under appraisal, and the company expects to be adding additional courses later in the year.