Deputy Minister hails milestone as boost for jobs and low-emissions economy
South Africa has taken a significant step in bolstering its technical workforce, with 600 refrigeration and air-conditioning servicing technicians and 35 trainers completing a specialised training programme aimed at advancing the country's environmental commitments and economic growth.
Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bernice Swarts marked the occasion on Monday in Johannesburg, highlighting the broader significance of the initiative for the nation's development goals.
"Skills development in the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector contributes to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and a transition towards a low-emissions economy."
The programme is the product of a collaboration between the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Department of Employment and Labour, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and industry stakeholders in the refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) sector. Together, these partners developed a National Implementation Strategy for RAC service technicians in 2015, along with a dedicated training programme.
Central to the initiative is the phasing out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) — particularly HCFC-22 — in line with South Africa's obligations under the Montreal Protocol. The programme focuses on training, certification, and the uptake of alternatives with low Global Warming Potential (GWP). Participants from all nine provinces attended training sessions held in Johannesburg and Durban.
Expansion plans and commitment to ozone protection
Swarts confirmed that the DFFE intends to broaden the programme's reach, with plans to train an additional 800 technicians working in the informal servicing sector. This expansion is expected to improve standardisation, strengthen compliance, and drive further reductions in Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption. She added that the initiative advances key national development priorities, including decent work, poverty alleviation, quality education, and gender equality, noting increased participation by women in the programme.
The RAC sector plays a vital role in the South African economy, underpinning food security, healthcare delivery, industrial output, and climate-controlled environments across both government and private enterprise. Swarts reaffirmed the government's unwavering dedication to meeting its Montreal Protocol obligations.
"This landmark multilateral environmental agreement regulates the production and consumption of controlled substances through legally binding measures."
The Deputy Minister emphasised that safeguarding the ozone layer is a matter of critical national and international importance. Ozone-depleting substances heighten exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, with proven consequences for human health, agricultural yields, and the integrity of ecosystems. Through consistent adherence to its Montreal Protocol commitments, South Africa has recorded a notable decline in the use of ozone-depleting substances within refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.
South Africa's refrigeration and air-conditioning sector underpins critical industries including food storage, healthcare, and manufacturing, making a skilled technical workforce essential for economic resilience. The training of 600 technicians across all nine provinces could improve employment prospects in a country facing persistent youth unemployment, while the planned expansion to 800 informal-sector workers may help formalise a largely unregulated trade. As global demand for green cooling technologies grows, these credentials could position South African technicians competitively in emerging low-carbon markets.
