The ACR Show, the UK’s only exhibition for the refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, heating and heat pump sectors will, for the first time, feature the national SkillFRIDGE competition. Six apprentices from across UK colleges and training providers will compete at the show to achieve gold medal position. The 12 hour competition will showcase the skills and knowledge required to work in the HVACR industry and include electrical wiring, fault finding, pipe work fabrication, joining of materials, commissioning, refrigerant charging efficient set up and recovery of refrigerant. Apart from vocational skills, the judges will be looking for ability to design, plan and effectively solve problems encountered in the test projects.
Mark Forsyth Worldskills UK training manager and SkillFRIDGE lead judge said: “By participating in skill competitions, the UK is able to share best practice on vocational teaching, and raise standards and expertise in further education, skills and apprenticeships on a national scale.”
Carole Stott is chair of Find a Future, which manages the UK’s entry into the WorldSkills Competition said: “Skill competitions showcase the levels of performance that can be achieved by individuals and organisations through high quality further education, skills training and apprenticeships in the UK. Through skills competitions and the wider work of Find a Future we want to provide every young person with the chance to unlock their potential and get excited about the world of work.”
New, dedicated theatre
The new CPD accredited Training & Careers Theatre, sponsored by Toshiba Carrier will cover a range of topics pertinent to the industry, including TM44 inspections – reasons and benefits; the new Building Controls Professional Assessment and how it is helping to raise standards in the controls sector; the Index SEI that is destined to replace COP (Coefficient of Performance); the heat pump market and the effects of the government ditching green incentives; the PURR report; major issues of interest in BIM; energy efficiency from an engineer’s perspective and much more besides.
David Dunn, general manager of Toshiba Air Conditioning, said: “Toshiba is delighted to be sponsoring the Training and Careers feature at the 2016 event. Training is key to the industry’s future, and underpins the high quality, high efficiency projects required by end users, building occupants and the environment.
“Toshiba has invested substantially in a new national network of training centres over the past two years, and together with our distributors we are now a major training provider in the UK.
“We will be using the show to highlight the comprehensive range of courses and CPD modules now available, and invite installers, consultants and hands-on end users to come along and see what’s on offer.”
The Training & Careers theatre is also set to host an ‘Association Day’ on Thursday 18th February, when visitors can look forward to presentations from The Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES), British Refrigeration Association (BRA), HEVAC, Heat Pump Association (HPA), British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) and Refcom.
Russell Beattie, chief executive of the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations said: “FETA views training and skills as key to the successful future of all of our member organisations. Without the right people coming into the industry, we will struggle to meet the growing demand for products and services. Training is also necessary to ensure that current staff renew and refresh their know-how and skills. FETA has worked with a number of groups in our membership to develop NVQs and other training programmes. Government focus is now very much on employer groups shaping skills and training for their sectors, and here at FETA we feel that this is something we can actively support. “
The full seminar programme will be announced later this month.
