The program allows organizations to join Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Kroger and Albertsons to expand comprehensive workforce development solutions.

The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to facilitate the transition to natural refrigerants, today announced the launch of the R-TRADE Supporters program, inviting industry organizations to support critical workforce solutions delivered under NASRC’s Refrigeration Technician Recruitment, Advancement, Development and Education (R-TRADE) Program.

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“Technicians are the backbone of the commercial refrigeration industry, but they need our support if we want a sustainable technician workforce,” says Danielle Wright, NASRC Executive Director. “The R-TRADE Supporters program gives organizations a meaningful way to invest in the workforce and ensure they have the resources they need to be successful now and into the future.”

R-TRADE, NASRC’s nationwide workforce development program, aims to address one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: a nationwide shortage of trained refrigeration technicians. The program provides low-to-no-cost, hands-on training and career-building resources to help technicians thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

The R-TRADE Supporters program offers organizations a tax-deductible^* way to directly fund proven solutions to improve recruitment, training, and retention for refrigeration technicians at scale. Contributions from Supporters enable NASRC to host free in-person, expert-led training events while supporting workforce recruitment through resources like school career fairs and faculty training. Supporter levels start as low as $5,000 a year.

In return for their support, organizations receive promotional benefits, recognition and opportunities to engage directly with refrigeration technicians at NASRC training events.

“Without our Supporters, these training opportunities simply wouldn’t be available to the technicians who need them most,” says Morgan Vanzo, NASRC Senior Director. “This program is about opening doors, and we’re inviting the industry to help us do that.”

Supporters will join R-TRADE Founding Partners Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Kroger and Albertsons, who provided seed funding to help launch the program in 2024 and make it accessible at scale.

To learn more or become a Supporter, visit nasrc.org/r-trade-supporters or email info@nasrc.org.

About R-TRADE

R-TRADE, a program established by the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council, provides necessary solutions that benefit every sector of the refrigeration industry. By fostering a skilled technician workforce, this program meets the refrigeration industry’s immediate workforce development needs while equipping technicians to enable a smooth transition from HFCs that will pave the way for a sustainable and resilient sector. For more information about the many solutions offered under the program, visit nasrc.org/r-trade.

About the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council

The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council (NASRC) is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit working to eliminate refrigeration’s environmental impacts by facilitating the transition to natural refrigerants. NASRC collaborates with stakeholders across the refrigeration industry, including more than 55,000 food retail locations, to drive a sustainable workforce, facilitate funding opportunities, and catalyze continuous improvement. For more information, visit nasrc.org, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

^* Tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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“The R-TRADE Supporters program gives organizations a meaningful way to invest in the workforce and ensure they have the resources they need to be successful now and into the future.”