NEWS
WorldSkills 2026 set to play bigger role amid recruitment crisis
T
his year’s WorldSkills competition is expected to take on greater importance as the UK faces a deepening shortage of young people entering work, according to the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA).
Entries have opened for the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) category of the global skills event, which brings together more than 80 countries. WorldSkills was created over 60 years ago to help young people develop through competition-based training and assessment, with the aim of supporting economic growth and creating new job opportunities. BESA is an organising partner for the UK competition, which highlights both new and existing RACHP talent. Engineers aged 16 and over can now apply, with the chance to earn a place on the UK team for the 2028 international fi nals in Japan. WorldSkills UK said it aims to help Britain become a ‘skills economy’ by raising the status of technical education and embedding high training standards to support jobs and investment.
The competition comes at a time when almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training. Despite this, many RACHP employers say they struggle to fi nd suitable applicants for apprenticeships and entry- level roles. BESA’s head of competence, Stuart Rattray, said many young people may not have considered RACHP as a career, even though the sector has strong long-term prospects. He said the competition gives entrants a chance to show their abilities while also highlighting the industry’s role in areas such as healthcare, data centres, food safety and heat pumps. Rattray added that employers often see clear
benefi ts when they put forward candidates, with many reporting improved confi dence and broader skills among their engineers. He said companies also gain visibility when their entrants perform well.
Competitors begin with an online test
before moving to regional qualifi ers at the InstallerSHOW in Birmingham in June. Six fi nalists will then take part in three days of
practical tasks at the national fi nals in Wales in November. The tests, designed by industry specialists, cover areas such as fault fi nding, fabrication, refrigerant handling and system assembly.
The competition provides structured tasks, clear guidance and resources to support diff erent learning styles, including neurodivergent entrants. Financial support is also available to ensure people from all backgrounds can take part. Entrants must show they can work safely and accurately on tasks based on real industry situations, including diagnosis, maintenance, record keeping and handling refrigerants in line with environmental rules. The competition is open to Level 3 students or recent graduates with no more than three years of industry experience, and entrants must hold or be due to hold an F-Gas Category 1 certifi cate by June 23. Rattray said the event is a valuable chance for people to demonstrate their talent on an international stage, while also helping the sector identify and address skills gaps through its links with government.
10 April 2026 •
www.acr-news.com
Download the ACR News app today
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36
