SIX employees of local firm Geddes Refrigeration Limited have been awarded the City and Guilds of London Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, following a three-month supervisory level course.

The course was offered by Kingston-based Institute of International Recognised Qualifications (IIRQ), and gave the employees exposure to all six practical units in the construction field:

– Timber Vocation

– Trowel Vocation

– Painting and Decorating

– Plumbing

– Electrical Installation, and

– Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

On completion of each course, participants are eligible to receive unit certificates, and qualify for the City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning on passing a written examination.

At the awards ceremony on Wednesday, retired telecommunications executive Errald Miller commended Geddes Refrigeration for providing training and international qualification for its employees.

“Your funds are well spent. IIRQ is fully equipped to provide this training,” Miller, who is a Fellow of City and Guilds of London, told representatives of the refrigeration company.

He disclosed that City and Guilds presently offers 500 qualifications through 8,500 colleges and institutions in more than 81 countries, adding that every year approximately 2 million people start a City and Guilds programme.

Miller encouraged the graduates to demonstrate the application of their new knowledge and qualification at the workplace. He also implored other companies to emulate Geddes Refrigeration by promoting the training and development of employees.