Toshiba Air Conditioning has opened a new national training centre at its headquarters in Leatherhead.
The facility is the flagship in a new national network of Toshiba training centres, being rolled out this year at 13 Toshiba and distributor locations nationwide.

It will operate all year round, with a scheduled programme of advertised courses running each quarter, supported by bespoke training to meet specific installer and end user needs.

When fully operational, around 600 to 700 engineers and end users are anticipated to undergo training at the facility each year. Added to the capacity of other centres in the network, it gives Toshiba the ability to train more than 1,500 people each year, making it one of the most significant training providers in the UK.

The centre gives installers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience of commissioning and servicing the latest technology, including VRF air conditioning, electronic controls, leak detection and digital inverters. It will include examples of Toshiba's refrigerant management and protection systems.

The full range of Toshiba equipment and accessories, such as the award winning RD6 leak detection system, will also be located at Toshiba's new North of England training centre, based at Middleton in Manchester, due to open later this year.

Toshiba's training and technical manager Neil Wooldridge will head up the new Leatherhead training centre. He has extensive knowledge of air conditioning technology and the industry.

In addition to delivering training courses from its own premises and those of its distributors, Toshiba will also offer courses from customers' premises to suit all needs.

General manager of Toshiba Air Conditioning, David Dunn, said: 'We believe it is our duty and responsibility to provide high quality training - to ensure systems operate safely and efficiently, and that the future of the industry is secured. We also have a duty of care to the environment, to make sure people are fully informed and aware of their obligations under the law, to protect and minimise the impact of air conditioning and refrigerants on the environment.'

The expanded range of courses covers both practical and theoretical topics, with the focus on optimising system design and performance to ensure occupant comfort, energy efficiency and environmental protection. In line with its policy,
Toshiba will make no charge for attendance on its courses.

Modules include courses on practical installation and commissioning skills, and updates on key legislation impacting the industry.

Following the recent changes to the F-Gas Regulation, a new course outlines the implications for all parties, how the regulation relates to different refrigerants, record keeping requirements, and the key timetable of dates for implementation of the changes.

Approved by CIBSE under its CPD programme, legislation updates include the recently revised Part L of the Buildings Regulations, and how the latest changes relate to the design of air conditioning systems.

Other CPD accredited courses cover the application of SEER and COP in relation to VRF systems, introduction to VRF and VRF compressor technology, air-to-water heat pumps, the design and application of air-cooled VRF systems, the operation of BREEAM refrigerant pump down credits and BSEN378, and an update on EcoDesign LOT10 - the Energy Labelling Directive.

For more information visit toshiba.training@toshiba-ac.com