New Delhi, July 16, 2025: Elanpro, a leading commercial refrigeration company in India, has launched the pilot phase of its CSR initiative titled “Cool Skills, Bright Futures.” Coinciding with World Youth Skills Day 2025, the programme aims to train 100 aspiring service technicians in commercial refrigeration across three cities — Noida, Guwahati, and Vadodara.
The six-week training programme is designed to bridge the talent gap in India’s refrigeration services sector. It combines interactive classroom instruction with hands-on training and performance assessments, enabling participants to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot modern refrigeration systems. A select group of certified trainees will also be offered internships and placement opportunities, enhancing their employability.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with local SME training partners and focuses on vocational and sectoral competencies, along with apprenticeship exposure. It also promotes diversity and inclusion, with a strong emphasis on women’s participation. Practical exposure is supported through mentorship, project-based learning, and corporate engagement.
“India’s commercial refrigeration industry is growing at over 15% annually, driven by the boom in QSRs, quick commerce, and F&B retail. Yet, there’s a clear shortage of qualified service technicians. As refrigeration systems evolve with smart technologies and low-GWP refrigerants, the need for skilled technicians has never been more critical – they are the backbone of this ecosystem,” said Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro.
He added, “Through Cool Skills, Bright Future, we aim to build a future-ready workforce equipped to meet industry standards and support India’s evolving refrigeration needs. The program will enhance employability and boost income-earning potential for youth across the country.”
The programme comes at a time when demand for cold storage infrastructure is surging, driven by the rapid growth of food service outlets, cloud kitchens, ice cream parlours, artisanal dairy brands, and e-commerce-led D2C food businesses. However, nearly 75% of India’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) service technicians remain without formal training or certification, posing risks to service quality, safety, and sustainability.
With the inaugural batch in Noida completed and training underway in Guwahati and Vadodara through September 2025, Elanpro plans to scale up the initiative. The next phase will include identifying new training locations, improving programme quality, and continuing long-term CSR support in underserved regions.
The initiative aligns with the national Skill India Mission and aims to contribute to building a skilled workforce for India’s growing refrigeration and cooling infrastructure needs.
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