Inauguration of the first school laboratory of refrigeration in Italy, dedicated to the memory of Luigi Nocivelli

On Friday, 8 February, in Magenta, the Training Center for Refrigeration Experts, the first school laboratory for refrigeration in Italy, was inaugurated in the presence of the press and local authorities, who were represented by the Lord Mayor of Magenta, Chiara Calati. This is the only professional school in Italy to train future refrigeration technicians according to UNI EN 13313 and the first school in Europe in which an entire small store has been set up equipped with innovative transcritical CO₂ technology, made available by Epta.

The Training Center for Refrigerator Technicians has been named after Luigi Nocivelli. The successful twentieth-century entrepreneur was distinguished by his inquiring mind and firm belief in the importance of proper training, and always felt it his duty to give more back to the community than he had received.

The Training Center, the fruit of investments and donations totalling over 500,000 euro, has been set up by the professional institute ASLAM together with the Assocold and Assofrigoristi associations to satisfy the growing need in the market for skilled experts, and to manage new natural refrigerants, which are the solutions of the future. The laboratory will also hold skills updating courses for professionals.

Marco Nocivelli, Chairman and CEO of Epta and Chairman of Assocold, stated: “We are very proud of what we have achieved with this inauguration. Italy boasts a wealth of technical expertise in refrigeration and climate control: passing that expertise on to young people will make a positive contribution towards increasing the success of the national System as a whole.” He continued: “The creation of the Institute bears tangible witness to our social commitment and our faith in the younger generations. It will allow them to achieve preparation of a high standard for a profession which is increasingly in demand. The training is geared towards the future and will allow young people to become successful expert technicians that can provide effective responses to the challenges posed by constant technological progress, and by European and international regulations”.

Carlo Montanari, EptaService Manager at Epta commented: “Epta firmly believes in training, in terms of the process of individual and professional development, and establishing this institute confirms it. Inside the school itself, students will be able to put themselves to the test. They can make use of a workshop equipped with a complete refrigeration system boasting all the very latest natural cooling technologies. The aim is to help train refrigeration professionals, who are vital for the sector. When it comes to ensuring a system runs properly, it is necessary to ensure that maintenance is carried out to the highest standards.”

The courses started in September 2018. ASLAM, Assocold and Assofrigoristi have been giving 24 young people the chance to embark on training for “Thermal system technicians – installation and maintenance of systems containing heat-transfer fluids” and “Technician for civil and industrial systems – Expert in refrigerating systems and heat pumps”, giving rise to a practical joint venture between schools and businesses. From the coming academic year, youngsters finishing their third year of secondary schooling will be able to enrol in the course for “Operator of thermal-hydraulic systems” and follow the entire course until they have achieved the Technician’s diploma.