MILL VALLEY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to advance climate-friendly natural refrigerants in supermarket applications, today announced the launch of R-TRADE (Refrigeration Technician Recruitment, Advancement, Development and Education). This groundbreaking nationwide workforce development program aims to combat the critical shortage of refrigeration technicians by providing needed recruitment, training and retention programs to build a sustainable and skilled technician workforce. Funding for the program was made available thanks to the generous support of R-TRADE’s founding partners: Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Kroger and Albertsons.
New regulatory requirements and rising corporate climate commitments are driving an industry-wide transition from greenhouse gas hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants. At the same time, the commercial refrigeration industry faces a growing technician shortage, presenting a significant challenge as the industry prepares to transition to climate-friendly refrigerants.
“R-TRADE will provide necessary solutions that benefit every sector of the refrigeration industry,” said Danielle Wright, NASRC executive director. “By fostering a skilled technician workforce, this program meets the grocery refrigeration industry’s immediate needs while equipping technicians to enable a smooth transition from HFCs that will pave the way for a sustainable and resilient industry.”
About R-TRADE
R-TRADE takes a three-pronged approach to addressing the refrigeration technician shortage:
- Recruitment: Increase awareness and support for this career path to build a robust pipeline of refrigeration technician candidates through youth and adult engagement.
- Training: Increase access to comprehensive training on refrigeration and advanced refrigeration technologies to collectively train over 14,000 technicians.
- Retention: Identify and promote best practices, technologies and other support mechanisms to increase the number of existing technicians who remain in the refrigeration trade.
The program draws inspiration from NASRC’s Workforce Development Assessment, which identified data-driven solutions to address the labor market shortage of commercial refrigeration technicians. Since its publication, the organization has implemented several solutions identified in the report, including the Natural Refrigerant Training Summit series, a Train the Trainer pilot for HVACR school faculty in Southern California and HVACR student networking events. Thanks to the Founding Partners’ support, the organization can work to expand its workforce development initiatives and address more comprehensive recruiting, training and retention solutions through R-TRADE.
About the Founding Partners
Each Founding Partner has committed to supporting R-TRADE’s first three years, with Walmart and Amazon voluntarily surpassing the suggested donation amount.
“Building the technician workforce and empowering these professionals with knowledge of natural refrigerants is crucial to achieving our climate objectives while staying ahead of evolving regulatory requirements,” said Brandon Ballard, Walmart’s Senior Director of Facility Services for Refrigeration and HVAC. “Through our commitment to R-TRADE, we’re making a meaningful impact on the future of the retail industry and the planet.”
In addition to providing the program’s seed funding, the Founding Partners will offer valuable and unique insight from a retailer’s perspective.
“By investing in R-TRADE, we’re not only preparing the technician workforce for the future but also advancing our commitment to The Climate Pledge,” said Chris Roe, Director of Worldwide Environment and Carbon, Amazon. “Our partnership in this initiative underscores our ongoing dedication to sustainable and responsible operations.” Learn more about The Climate Pledge here.
R-TRADE represents a collaborative effort between industry leaders. Each partner brings valuable expertise and motivation to build a skilled and ready workforce of refrigeration technicians.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with these forward-thinking organizations that share our common vision for a sustainable future of this essential industry,” said Morgan Vanzo, NASRC senior director. “By working collectively, R-TRADE will move the industry forward to deliver these critically needed solutions to grow the technician workforce.”
NASRC encourages participation from all stakeholders across the refrigeration industry to maximize R-TRADE’s success. For more information on the program and how to get involved, visit nasrc.org/r-trade.
About the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council
The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit working to advance climate-friendly natural refrigerants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by traditional HFC refrigerants. We collaborate with stakeholders from across the industry, including over 55,000 food retail locations, to eliminate the barriers to natural refrigerants in supermarkets. For more information, visit https://nasrc.org, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
