New Delhi, India (April 26, 2013) – The Indian building industry now has powerful and revolutionary new tools at its disposal with the introduction of IAPMO India’s 2012-UMC-I Illustrated Training Manual™ (2012 UMC-I ITM™), and launch of the Mechanical Education to Employment Program (MEEP) during ACRECONF-2013 at the India Habitat Centre. ACRECONF (Air-Conditioning-Refrigeration-Conference) is an international conference of HVAC-R professionals, sponsored by ISHRAE.
The UMC-I ITM provides required guidelines for the design, installation and maintenance of heating, mechanical ventilation, cooling, refrigeration and miscellaneous building services and systems, while at the same time allowing latitude for innovation and new technologies. It is the most comprehensive document ever created in India to standardize sustainable residential, industrial and commercial mechanical systems. The process of developing the UMC-I, ITM brought together volunteers representing varied viewpoints and interests to achieve consensus on mechanical issues. Widespread awareness and adaptation of the UMC-I could result in a combined effort by the entire construction and infrastructure sector toward a cleaner and greener environment, thereby greatly reducing the carbon footprint.
The MEEP addresses a widening skills gap in India — the slim availability of high quality professionals compounded by the galloping pace of the country’s construction and allied-service driven economy, which is growing faster than most countries worldwide. As businesses propose to double and triple their workforce and India strives to maintain its position in the global marketplace, it has become imperative to prepare and plan for a world-class, competent, talented and innovative pool of workers. In response to these challenges, IAPMO India has introduced the cutting-edge MEEP concept, training university students in order to tackle the impeding shortage of knowledgeable, skilled workers. Graduates of the multi-level MEEP education programs will be given the option of obtaining professionally qualified certifications with the following credentials:
• Mechanical Managers (MM) Academic Program
• Mechanical Supervisors (MS) Academic Program
• Mechanical Technicians (MT) Academic Program
“It gives us a great opportunity to be associated with many likeminded professionals, societies and organizations pan India to develop the UMC-I ITM, and will thus be an invaluable combination of our globally gathered expertise and the knowledge of India’s best and most seasoned HVAC professionals,” said Megan Lehtonen, director of Business Development, IAPMO USA. “Such fruitful relationships will undoubtedly go a long way in furthering the sharing of knowledge for creating better standards, and professionals who would ultimately work for the benefit of Indian society.”
Abdul Matheen, director Mechanical, IAPMO India, said: “Codes, standards and code-based education form part of the mandatory requirements in building design to help heal the planet from the harmful effects of Global Climate Change, which also contributes to water and energy conservation. We at IAPMO India hope to sow seeds of change in the mechanical industry through codes, standards and education; through the UMC-I ITM and the MEEP education programs being launched today.”
For more information on IAPMO India’s latest initiatives, please contact Megan Lehtonen at (909) 472-4133 or by e-mail at megan.lehtonen@iapmo.org.
Last modified: April 26, 2013