As someone who strongly believes that everyone should be trained to do their job - not only so they can do it efficiently, professionally and to the required standards, but also to give those tasked with simpler work the recognition they deserve and a pride in what they do - I was surprised to learn this week that there isn't a formal qualification in the domestic refrigeration market!

Surely a nationally recognised qualification route for this group of engineers is vital from both a commercial perspective and from one of safety and environment.  Manufacturers will end up with better qualified engineers servicing and maintaining their equipment, which will result in fewer returns, fewer spares being used and equipment having a better chance of being repaired rather than scrapped. Good for the planet then too!

Well done then to Amica, Liebherr and the Whitegoods Trade Association for doing what was needed to support the creation of a new City & Guilds qualification, which is being launched at a conference in the Midlands on Wednesday.

You can read about it below and if you'd like to attend the conference, the contact details are included.

If you feel that there's another area that desperately requires a City & Guilds or other qualification, I'd love to have your thoughts on it...