Growing need for F-Gas technicians: AREA highlights training gaps

Around 370,000 refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) personnel are F-Gas certified in the 18 EU countries covered by AREA membership.

In 2023-2024, the AREA (Association of European Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors) conducted a survey among its member associations, covering 18 EU countries.

According to their results published in December 2024, about 370,000 refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) personnel are F-Gas certified. Their previous survey was published in 2021.

 

Country

Number of

F-gas certified personnel

Country

Number of

F-gas certified personnel

Country

Number of

F-gas certified personnel

Austria 3,970 France 50,000 Portugal 6,536
Belgium 9,742 Germany 63,900 Slovakia 1,728
Croatia 2,434 Greece 10,600 Spain 56,000
Czech Republic 7,126 Ireland 4,800 Sweden 8,716
Denmark 5,944 Italy 79,281 Total for 18 EU countries covered by AREA membership 368,872
Estonia 430 Netherlands 3,200 Norway 4,037
Finland 11,220 Poland 43,245 Turkey 5,000
        Grand total 377,909

 

Considering the product bans and phase down included in the new F-gas Regulation adopted in February 2024, there is a risk of shortage of contractors trained on alternative refrigerants in the coming year. AREA estimates that about 150 000 technicians will be needed to achieve the European objectives of installing at least 10 million additional heat pumps by 2027.

Furthermore, by 2030, the phase-out schedule will have reached a point where the use of F-gas will only be possible for maintenance (with mainly reclaimed refrigerants). The sector will need personnel trained to handle alternative refrigerants.

Currently, only 21% of F-gas certified personal are trained to handle CO2 (R744) and 12% on ammonia (R717). Concerning hydrocarbon refrigerants, 29% of F-gas certified personal are trained to handle small hydrocarbon equipment and 19% are trained for large equipment. 40% are trained to handle HFOs.

 

 

Did you know? The IIR has a working group dedicated to promoting careers in refrigeration to the younger generations, and particularly women.

 

 

Sources

AREA. 19 December 2024. https://area-eur.be/news/results-last-area-internal-survey-training-certification-f-gases-and-alternative-refrigerants

AREA. 25 January 2021. https://area-eur.be/index.php/news/mandatory-certification-alternative-refrigerants-time-now