30 Jan 2018
Registration for SkillFRIDGE 2018 is now open with a new refreshed format. Any apprentice studying Level 2 RACHP upwards can now take part following the removal of the upper age limit.
The SkillFRIDGE competition is composed of three stages:
Registration Stage
To ensure that competitors have been verified and are of a standard to enjoy and benefit from the skills competition, a preliminary test must be carried out by a training provider and scores must be submitted at the point of registration.
National competition
Regional heats will be held from May to August throughout the UK. Registered competitors will complete a series of tasks under strict time schedules and have their work assessed by a panel of specially selected industry experts.
The competitor that achieves the highest score nationally will be crowned the SkillFRIDGE National Winner, and will be invited to receive their accolade at the BESA Awards in October.
WorldSkills UK National Final (Eligible competitors)
The seven highest scores from the national competition (subject to being eligible under WSUK guidelines) will be invited to compete at the WorldSkills UK Skills Show in November.
The highest scoring competitor during the WorldSkills UK final will be presented with a trophy and their respective training provider will receive the SkillFRIDGE shield at the ACR News Awards in January 2019. High scoring apprentices will also be considered to represent Great Britain at the International WorldSkills competition.
An exciting and and competitive platform, SkillFRIDGE aims to attract and inspire a new generation of engineers thus addressing the growing demand for skills in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector.
For more information and to get involved, visit www.skillfridge.co.uk.
5 Feb 2026
The Institute of Refrigeration has just released a report summarising the key findings and conclusions from its The Future of Training – Right Skills for the Right Job Survey, which it conducted among IOR members in October 2025 to explore future skills and qualification needs within the sector.
5 Feb 2026
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has recently released a series of upskilling videos for heat networks. These videos are to support upskilling operation and maintenance in the heat networks sector.
4 Feb 2026
Just downloaded the IOR Technician App? This video walks you through the essentials of using our app, step by step. You’ll see exactly where to tap, how to navigate key tools, and how to get the most out of the app’s main functions. It’s designed to help you feel confident and ready to use the app smoothly from the very start.
3 Feb 2026
The IOR and CIBSE are pleased to announce that they will be working together to provide their respective members with access to relevant technical events in 2026 as part of their commitment to members’ professional development and sharing of expertise.
2 Feb 2026
The webinar on the introduction to Ammonia Refrigeration, which was held on 29 January 2026, is now available on catch up from the IOR webinar channel.