In April 2021, ELVES launched its F-Gas Training pilot project to provide Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) certified training to Authorised Treatment Facilities for End of Life Vehicles in its Network. The second round of this training is now scheduled for this month. 

F-Gases are used in vehicle air conditioning systems and need to be removed from End-of-Life Vehicles as part of the depollution process. Since Brexit, UK certified qualifications no longer meet the requirements set out in EU law and ATF operators without a qualification, or those who did not meet the EPA deadline for transferring a previously achieved UK certification, now require EU recognised training and subsequent qualification to be compliant.

“Under the F-Gas Regulations, ATFs are required to have this qualification for when they remove air conditioning gases during the depollution process.”, said Elena Wrelton from ELVES.

Recognising the challenges posed by the changing certification requirements, ELVES launched its F-Gas Training pilot project in April 2021 to provide Irish certified training to ATFs in its Network. After a successful first round of training, where 12 employees of ATFs achieved the F-Gas Handling in Mobile Air Conditioning Systems 5N0106 award, the next cohort of 14 participants from ATFs around the country are set to complete the course in September.

“This Irish QQI certified training ensures our ATFs have the up-to-date qualification they need to remove air conditioning gases, including F-Gases, from ELVs. It’s great to be able to offer this to ATFs in our Network. The training is provided by an experienced trainer to two participants per training session. This enables the delivery of high-quality training, with plenty of time for questions and one-to-one support”, said Ms Wrelton.

The F-Gas Handling in Mobile Air Conditioning Systems Training provided by ELVES aims to ensure all ATFs in the ELVES Network have up-to-date qualifications in the removal of air conditioning gases. The training is offered free to employees of ATFs in the ELVES Network and is provided by Limerick and Clare Education Training Board.