COMPANY PROFILE
Rising standards and real-world pressure
The refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) competition at WorldSkills UK has long been regarded within the sector as a rare space where young engineers can demonstrate their technical ability under conditions that mirror the pressures of real work. This year’s fi nal, held at Cardiff and Vale College, brought together six competitors who had already progressed through online tests and regional qualifi ers to reach the national stage.
T
he competition is organised by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and supported by industry partners including
REFCOM, Baxi and the BDR Thermea Foundation. Across two days, fi nalists were required to fabricate pipework, carry out electrical testing, perform pressure and strength checks, handle refrigerants safely, and commission a working system. Judges described the group as “incredible engineers” and noted that all six achieved high scores across the board.
In the end, the gold medal went to 18-year-old Isaac Jervis of the Army’s Corps of Royal Engineers, the youngest competitor in the fi eld. Samuel Jones,
representing the Practical Refrigeration Training Centre and Industrial Cooling Equipment, secured silver, while Craig Gow of Glasgow Kelvin College and Cool Cair Refrigeration took bronze. Behind the medal table, however, the event
off ers a deeper insight into the state of skills in the RACHP sector, the pressures facing new entrants, and the expectations of employers. Interviews with competitors, judges and organisers reveal a competition that is not only technically demanding but also refl ective of the broader challenges and opportunities within the industry.
Head judge Ian Lemmon, who has been involved in the competition for over a decade, explained
'Finalists under 21 who scored above average will now be considered for the UK’s international squad preparing for the 2028 Skills Olympics in Aichi, Japan.'
that the assessment is rooted fi rmly in established industry standards. “For example, all the fabricated pipe work has a tolerance of plus or minus two millimetres,” he said. “We’re looking at accurate measurements, including the angles of bends.” He added that competitors are expected to work to BS EN 378 safety regulations and demonstrate correct pressure testing, strength testing and compliance with F-Gas regulations during charging and commissioning.
10 January 2026 •
www.acr-news.com
Lemmon noted that the competition environment
introduces a level of pressure that can expose weaknesses not always visible in day-to-day work. “The pressure of the competition can sometimes mean mistakes happen,” he said. “But it’s not making a mistake that’s an issue – it’s how they react to it that’s important.” He went on to highlight brazing as an example of an area where competitors often struggle, particularly when it comes to judging the correct amount of heat. Despite these challenges, Lemmon said the
standard this year was noticeably higher than in previous cycles, which he attributed partly to a shift in mindset among colleges and employers, who increasingly recognise the value of competition- based training. “People are buying into the competition who see the benefi ts of entering it,” he said. “Being in this pressure environment prepares them for when they’re working under pressure in the real world.”
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 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
