R-TRADE Supporters Program

Geographic Scope: Nationwide (United States)

Overview:
The R-TRADE Supporters program offers organizations a new way of supporting critical workforce solutions delivered under R-TRADE, the nationwide workforce development program addressing the critical refrigeration technician shortage.

What is R-TRADE?
R-TRADE (Refrigeration Technician Recruitment, Advancement, Development, and Education) is a nationwide workforce development program launched in September 2024 that aims to:

• Recruitment: Increase awareness and support for the refrigeration technician career path through youth and adult engagement
• Training: Increase access to comprehensive training on refrigeration and advanced refrigeration technologies to train over 14,000 technicians
• Retention: Identify and promote best practices, technologies, and other support mechanisms to increase retention of existing technicians

The Problem:
The commercial refrigeration industry faces a critical technician shortage while undergoing mandatory transition from greenhouse gas HFC refrigerants to climate-friendly alternatives. This creates a significant bottleneck for the industry transition.

Program Rationale:
Technicians are the backbone of the commercial refrigeration industry. Technicians need support to develop a sustainable workforce. The Supporters program gives organizations a meaningful way to invest in the workforce and ensure technicians have the resources they need to succeed now and into the future.

What Supporter Funding Supports:

• Free in-person, expert-led training events
• Workforce recruitment through resources like:
  • School career fairs
  • Faculty training
• Hands-on training and career-building resources

Founder Support:
R-TRADE Founding Partners who provided initial seed funding:

• Walmart
• Amazon
• Costco
• Kroger
• Albertsons

Walmart and Amazon voluntarily surpassed suggested donation amounts.

Benefits of Becoming a Supporter:

• Tax-deductible contribution (to the extent permitted by law)
• Promotional benefits and recognition
• Opportunities to engage directly with refrigeration technicians at NASRC training events

Contact Information:

• Email: info@nasrc.org
• Website: nasrc.org/r-trade-supporters
• For more information on getting involved: nasrc.org/r-trade

Organization Type:
NASRC is a 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit (Tax ID: 47-4473961)

How to Become a Supporter

1. Visit Program Website: Go to nasrc.org/r-trade-supporters
2. Email NASRC: Contact info@nasrc.org to learn more and express interest
3. Choose Supporter Level: Supporter levels start at $5,000 per year
4. Receive Benefits: Upon becoming a Supporter, organizations receive:
   • Promotional benefits
   • Recognition
   • Opportunities to engage with refrigeration technicians at NASRC training events

For More Information:

• Visit nasrc.org/r-trade for comprehensive information on the R-TRADE program and how to get involved
• Email: info@nasrc.org