IMI stays cool with Bosch air conditioning training

Bosch has been chosen by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) to help provide its technicians with the key training required to assess air conditioning repairs and refrigerant handling. Bosch will provide the required training to achieve IMIAL Level 3 Award in Automotive Refrigerant Handling to a number of the IMI’s External Quality Assurers (EQAs).

The IMI’s EQAs, who assess the quality of qualifications and ensure the competencies of technicians, are taking part in the course to ensure that they have the working knowledge of correct gas handling practice and of EU F-Gas legislation. The assessment starts with an initial refresher on current legislation and procedures then moves on to online and practical assessments.

Technicians working with refrigerants are now required to have a refrigerant handling qualification that meets the EU F-Gas Regulation, even if it is only to connect a refrigerant station. The Bosch training course provides a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) approved qualification, which offers a single unit solution for experienced mobile air conditioning technicians. This course offers technicians the chance to gain the qualification through an assessment only method and makes up the final stage of the IMI Awards Level 3 QCF Award in Automotive Refrigerant Handling.

Kevin Higgs, Bosch Product Manager, said: “Repairs and servicing on vehicle air conditioning can be a complex task, so ensuring that technicians have the key skills for refrigerant handling is essential. With EU legislations requiring training for refrigerant handling, this course is the perfect opportunity for the IMI EQAs to get up to speed on the latest requirements and to be sure that they know what skills technicians should have to carry out this ever-growing task.”