SkillFRIDGE
Providing a platform for talent
Talented apprentices and students in the air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump sectors are invited to put their technical and professional knowledge to the test and showcase their potential in the 2018 SkillFRIDGE Competition Series
T
he competition is designed to tackle the impending skills crisis by promoting the exciting and varied career paths available within the sector to young people and apprentices already studying up to Level 3 RACHP. It provides an opportunity for apprentices involved within the sector to hone their skills, learn best practice, understand current legislation and use the latest products on the market. Competitors, and their respective training
providers and employers, will benefit from having a unique platform from which they can demonstrate their technical and professional knowledge and outstanding skills in an exciting and pressurised environment.
With the Department for Education reporting that people aged 25 and over accounted for over 46% of apprenticeship starts in 2016/17 (DfE/EFSA Further Education and Skills, Nov 2017), the 2018 SkillFRIDGE Competition Series will see the removal of the upper age limit during the national stages. For more information, or to register an apprentice, visit
www.skillfridge.co.uk.
A crucial moment for industry
A report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cerb) identified the vital need for action, noting that an extra 182,000 people with engineering skills were required each year leading up to 2022, but currently there is an annual shortfall of 55,000 people. Government has recognised the importance of tackling this skills gap, and even launched the Year of Engineering initiative in January 2018. Secretary
14 February 2018 The SkillFRIDGE competitors at the ACR News Awards
of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable says: “In Government, we’re working hard to make sure we have the skills we need in 2022 and beyond, but we need to work with industry to make sure we inspire the engineers of tomorrow, today.” Skills competitions such as SkillFRIDGE provide
companies with a unique opportunity to show their support and do their part in tackling the skills crisis, as well as a chance to promote their brand to the next generation and wider industry. Companies that have already pledged their
support include lead sponsor Toshiba Air Conditioning, brand sponsors A-Gas, Advanced Engineering, Dean & Wood, Fieldpiece, Refrigeration Wholesale Ltd, Safeflame, VULKAN Lokring and association sponsors Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), FETA, The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), REFCOM and IOM3. To find out about the range of sponsorship opportunities that are available and how it can benefit your business, contact Karena Cooper on 01622 699 150 or at
kcooper@datateam.co.uk.
SKILLFRIDGE DEMO AT HVACR SHOW
HVAC & Refrigeration Show, where they demonstrated the knowledge they have gained throughout the competition and even had the opportunity to use some of the latest equipment to hit the market, including the brand new Sauermann Si-RM4 smart wireless manifold probes. The finalists were also invited to attend the ACR News Awards, where gold medallist Jack Culhane received the SkillFRIDGE trophy and his training provider, Eastleigh College, was awarded the SkillFRIDGE shield. The night also presented a further cause for celebration, as SkillFRIDGE 2017 finalist Stephen Taylor was honoured with the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ accolade.
C
ompetitors from the 2017 series showcased their skills to exhibitors and visitors at The
www.heatingandventilating.net
Last year’s bronze medallist Orlando Rawlings at the HVACR Show demonstration
www.heatingandventilating.net
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