Training programmes given by NILU

Training program for instrument maintenance, calibration and data collection 
During installation and calibration of the instruments the instrument supplier will undertake some basic training. Training is an essential part of the installations, calibrations and operations of the air quality monitoring programme. An important part of the training programme will be based upon on-the-job training.

The following topic will be included in the training programme for instrument operations and maintenance:

Instrument installations,
Instrument calibrations,
Control and maintenance,
Data transfer procedures ,
Data retrieval programme,
Data handling at the Monitoring Laboratory, 
Data storage and presentation.

An important part of this training programme is to learn to install and operate the various types of monitors.

The use of data bases and the AirQUIS system
A specific training programme has been developed to understand databases and use these databases for data quality assurance. The Computer centre personnel are being trained in using the data acquisition system, in QA/QC and in data presentation, evaluation and reporting.

The AirQUIS system includes statistical programmes designed for air quality and meteorological data and a report generator. During and after the installation of the system, training will be given to the technical and scientific staff. Most of the training is undertaken as part of the practical work with the database. Several training sessions have been performed on the use of databases as well the GIS based AirQUIS database. The operational experts should also undertake remote calibrations, data quality controls, cleaning of data, data plots and storage of raw data.

Training for Reference Laboratory personnel
Training in performing station audits by the Reference Laboratory is an important part of maintaining adequate quality in the data collection and data storage procedures. Audit basics and theory has been presented and repeated during the installation and early operational phase of the monitoring programme.

Final procedures for sampling and handling of samples have been given to the Reference Laboratory.

Sample preparations and analyses
Training in the use of air quality samplers, sample preparations, sample collections and sample analyses is part of the training programmes. A specific training programme is performed at the laboratories and for all technical personnel who are going to operate the samplers of all kinds. The procedures for analyses and data evaluation concerning SO2 and NO2 samples using passive and active samplers have been developed.