With up to 35,000 gas engineers still not trained to required F-Gas standards, there are fears that a last-minute rush to gain qualifications may mean demand for courses could easily outstrip supply.
According to Develop Training, a leading technical skills training provider in the UK, a sudden surge in registrations before next summer's deadline could leave many working illegally.

'If current rates of sign up continue it will be virtually impossible to train everyone in time,' explained Mark Dougall, electrical, mechanical & business services director at Develop Training.

'Despite the publicity and discussion surrounding these regulations everyone is seeing only small numbers of people registering to update their qualifications. We estimate that in total around 3,000 have signed up across the country.

'We are worried about this for two reasons - not only will individuals be fined if they don't gain their qualifications but we may also see a shortage of engineers able to legally undertake important servicing and maintenance work.'

The legislation is part of the EU F-Gas Regulations, the first part of which was introduced in April 2007.

Since July 2009 any company which employs engineers working under F-Gas Regulations must have a Company Certificate and from July 2011 this will be extended to individuals.

Anyone carrying out service, maintenance, recovery or leak checking on refrigeration equipment covered by the regulations must have completed one of the updated national qualifications.

'It seems many are either unaware of the need to undertake one of the new courses, or not concerned about the timescale.

'At the moment the qualifications are widely available so there's not really any excuse for not signing up. July 2011 may seem like a long way off at the moment but finding vacancies with trainers will become increasingly difficult nearer the deadline. People may be thinking they can get away with it but come July there is going to be a real crackdown on non-compliance.'