SKILLFRIDGE Going fo


The SkillFRIDGE fi nal took place at the Skills Show in November, and ACR News went along to take a look. Steve Bennion reports.


I


n the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Skills Show at NEC, an island of intense concentration marks the refrigeration and air conditioning section.


The six SkillFRIDGE competitors are all focussed on the tasks they’ve been given while the eagle-eyed judges look on. The apprentices under the microscope today are Jonathon Lansdowne of Technical Retail Services, Orlando Rawlings of Daikin UK, Gary McGaughey of Harry Dunlop Refrigeration, Stephen Taylor of Kooltech, Jack Culhane of Gelidus UK, Conor Green of Stulz UK and Luke Courtney of Dunbia – while Mark Forsyth heads the team of expert judges which includes Roger Smith, Derek Davies, Keith Nicholls, Nathan Ormson, Ian Lemmon and Jason Canning. SkillFRIDGE is a competition that rigourously tests those taking part, pushing them to the fullest extent of their abilities, and the tension throughout the fi nal is almost palpable as the competitors throw themselves into the four tasks that they face, which involve pipework, brazing, electrical and commissioning.


“The competitors have been working to a high standard under high pressure,” says Mr Canning. “Some of them have been showing signs of stress, but they’ve all pulled through.


“Some of them are absolutely amazing in terms of skill level, and those who are successful today could go on to represent the UK at


16 December 2017


www.acr-news.com


Orlando Rawlings


Jonathon Lansdowne


Stephen Taylor.


Judge Roger Smith keeps a sharp eye on the competitors.


Judge Nathan Ormson overseeing one of the tasks.


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  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72