Team UK in KazanTeam UK - 37 of the brightest and best young apprentices will get started at the 'Skills Olympics' in Kazan, which opens in front of 54,000 spectators today (Thursday August 22nd).  These young stars have already spent up to four years competing and training in order to reach the elite level they are at which enables them to compete against the best on the world stage.  Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians are among the 32 different disciplines that the UK is competing in at the 45th WorldSkills Finals.

The UK RACHP industry will be represented by:

Orlando Rawlings

Orlando Rawlings

Skill: Refrigeration

Home town: Grimsby

Training provider: Grimsby Institute of Further Education and Higher Education

Employer: Daikin UK

 

Dr. Neil Bentley-Gockmann OBE, CEO of WorldSkills UK which runs the regional and national competitions, selects and trains Team UK has called upon Prime Minister Boris Johnson to drive a 'skills upgrade' to help mainstream excellence and incorporate international best practice.

Speaking from Kazan he said: "Team UK is up for it! They've done so much training and can't wait to get started and represent the UK at its best on the world stage. I'm sure the whole country will join me in wishing Team UK the best of British."

Team UK finished 10th at the last finals (Abu Dhabi 2017) and is hoping to replicate that form.

Live coverage of the spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies is being featured live on UK TV (Showcase TV Sky 192) for the very first time and live updates are being streamed daily at: www.worldskillsuk.org 

For more about SkillFRIDGE and regional heats to identify the next UK champion see www.skillfridge.co.uk 

 

Recent posts

Retail sustainability with the enough project

28 May 2025

Lots to discuss at the "enough" retail workshop on commercial refrigeration and food chain emissions reduction on  27th May

News

New IOR Guidance Note on Coaching

22 May 2025

IOR has published its latest Education Guidance Note in the series, this time focusing on Coaching as a way of employers supporting engineering and technician development.  The Guidance Note (16) gives a guide to understanding the benefits of coaching, how this differs from mentoring and includes a useful list of organisations who can offer help with setting up coaching schemes or offer coaching.

Publication

Members Back Cold Chain To Be Part of UK's Critical Infrastructure

21 May 2025

IOR members showed their support for the Cold Chain Federation (CCF) campaign to recognise the Cold Chain as part of the UK's critical national infrastructure, as they attended the CCF's reception at the Houses of Parliament on 20th May.

News

First Keynote Announced For Adaptation 2025

8 May 2025

Expert in climate change adaptation Tim Fox will deliver a keynote talk at the IOR’s Adaptation 2025 conference detailing why cooling is now a “mission critical” service, essential to public health, food security, global commerce, and economic well-being.

Live event

Missed the Presentation on Greenhouse Gas Mitigation?

7 May 2025

Watch this webinar on catch-up, which focused on implementing technologies and operational strategies capable of significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the European retail sector. 

Recording