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ABYC Announces Upgrade to A/C & Refrigeration
Certification Course — Also Hires New Instructor
March 26, 2008, Annapolis, MD: The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) recently revised its A/C & Refrigeration certification course curriculum, study guide and exam, and has begun offering this updated course on a regular basis. This comprehensive update represents the third revision to this program in several years. Due to popular demand, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refrigerant certification review and exam is being offered as an optional add-on to the course.
In addition to the new course curriculum, ABYC has hired a new A/C & Refrigeration instructor, Mr. Mike Downey of Harbor Springs, MI. Mike has extensive experience with installing and maintaining A/C & Refrigeration systems on large and small recreational boats. He has a very impressive marine technical background and is one of only a few marine professionals to currently hold seven ABYC Certifications and the designation of ABYC Master Certified Technician.
This certification course is designed for the marine technician with a rudimentary level of experience and/or prior training in working with these systems. It includes an extensive material review covering the following areas:
- Installation and troubleshooting of:
- both AC and DC electrical systems related to refrigeration;
- air management system;
- related plumbing systems; and
- refrigeration system.
- Troubleshooting and repair of system mechanical components.
- Installation and troubleshooting of reverse-cycle air conditioning systems.
The certification exam is administered on the last day of the program.
Mike New, ABYC Education Director said, "ABYC continually upgrades our course curriculum, however, it was a challenge to keep this particular class up-to-date with the changing coolant technologies. We have made great strides, and now have an up-to-date, value-added, thorough program that references the latest technology on the market. This a great opportunity to get both ABYC certified and an EPA license at the same time."
ABYC certification classes are unlike other industry certifications. ABYC employs the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) process. The NOCTI process involves assembling a panel of experts in a given area such as A/C & Refrigeration, who spend days brainstorming and assembling all the relevant information an expert in this field should possess. The data is then weighted and categorized, and the industry group works backwards to create the exam. This process is long and involved. However, it creates a third party certification authority that speaks with unquestioned industry credentials, and differentiates ABYC certifications from all others in the industry.
Registration:
The next A/C & Refrigeration Certification course will be offered April 15 - 16, 2008 in Raleigh, NC. The education fee for this seminar is $525 for ABYC members, $700 for non-members. The EPA Refrigerant Certification is an additional $195, and would be held on April 17, 2008.
To view a full course description, seminar schedule or to register online, please visit the ABYC Web site at www.abycinc.org, or call (410) 990-4460. Space is limited.
ABYC has been developing, writing and updating the safety standards for boat building and repair in the United States for over 50 years. ABYC is actively involved with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as well as education and certification programs for marine technicians. These standards are available on CD-ROM, online (Web-STIR and the ABYC Standards Powered by Rulefinder.net) and in printed form. Membership and general information can be requested by visiting the ABYC Web site at www.abycinc.org.
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