22 Aug 2019
Team 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:

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
23 Apr 2026
The Institute of Refrigeration is the professional engineering body for all individuals working in RACHP. Find out more about the IOR here.
23 Apr 2026
Find out what the IOR can do for you: technical queries, safety codes of practice, new technologies and professional development.
23 Apr 2026
When you become a member of the Institute of Refrigeration you are joining a group of specialist experts driving the sector forward.
30 Jul 2026
The Government has announced a significant change to apprenticeship funding that will make it easier and more affordable for employers to invest in the next generation of talent from 1 August 2026.
28 Jul 2026
Bookings are now open for the 2nd IIR International Conference on Refrigeration Adapting to Rising Temperatures. Taking place in Birmingham (UK) from 8 to 10 March 2027, the conference programme will take an international view of adaptation strategies and bring together international experts to accelerate the transition toward a sustainable, future‑proof global cooling sector.