WIRACHP Past Meeting

Recorded Talks and Webinars

23rd June 2023

To celebrate International Women in Engineering Day, the IOR is dipped into its library of webinars to bring you a selection of technical presentations from female engineers and researchers. It was a fantastic opportunity to revisit some award-winning research and brush up on your technical knowledge. 

• CoolTalk - Using Flammable Refrigerant Safely. Jane Gartshore FInstR, Cool Concerns  
• CoolTalk - Heat Pumps. Laura Bishop MInstR Infinitas Design and Catarina Marques FInstR London South Bank University. 
• TechTalk - Improving Cooling and Oil Distribution in Oil-Injected Screw Compressors, Nashueen Basha, Imperial College London
• TechTalk - Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their Potential in Adsorption Heat Pumps, Eman Hussein, University of Birmingham

23rd June 2021 Engineering Heroes - Celebrate INWED2021

• Click here to view the Women in RACHP Meeting that celebrated INWED2021 "Engineering Heroes"

The 2021 International Women in Engineering Day celebrated the amazing work of women engineers around the world.

During this informal meeting everyday engineering heroes shared their experiences of working in various engineering disciplines and their inspirations for following a career path that can change the world.                   

4th March 2021: Recruitment and the future of the RACHP industry

• View the recording here.

With a skill shortage looming in many engineering sectors, this webinar explored the benefits offered by a career in the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector. It will discuss how to attract the brightest talent into our industry and the benefits that the apprenticeship scheme offers to both employers and individuals wanting a career in engineering. 

23rd June 2020  - Career Development Event 

• Listen to the recording here. 

On the 23rd of June, the IOR Women in RACHP Network held a webinar to celebrate the 2020 International Women in Engineering Day. The webinar gave details of the WiRACHP Network and included an exploration of how a number of  WiRACHP members came to be working in the sector, what paths their careers took and what they enjoy about their diverse roles. 

June 2016 - Network Launch webinar

• Listen to the webinar here

On the 23rd June 2016 Catarina Marques MInstR held a webinar to provide some background on the role of women in science, engineering and refrigeration careers based on research carried out by the International Institute of Refrigeration as part of a Women in Refrigeration workshop, which looked at global skills shortages in engineering and technical staff, the growing demand for refrigeration professionals and opportunities to increase representation of women in this field.

In-person WiRACHP Meetings and Events

11th November 2025 - A day of practical engineering 

This practical training day was hosted by Ellis Training who designed a programme to explain the world of refrigeration to those in non-engineering roles. The day offered a unique opportunity to gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, helping participants gain an understanding of the technologies that power the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector.

7th October 2025 - Tour of the Queen Quay Energy Centre

The WIRACHP Network arranged a guided tour of the Queens Quay Energy Centre, home to the UK’s largest water source heat pump project.  At the heart of the project is Scotland’s first major water source heat pump, an innovative system providing low-carbon heating to nearby homes and businesses. The tour attracted a diverse range of delegates, including a large number of apprentices studying at the nearby college, RACHP professionals and residents. 

June 2025 - Compressor development

A meeting of the WiRACHP Network was hosted by Bitzer at thier Milton Keynes factory. The day included a steering meeting for Network members to discuss future plans and initiatives and alks on compressor technologies and a tour of the Bitzer Factory. 

24th June 2024 -  Design of Cold Stores and Refrigerated Cabinets

On the 24th June, the IOR's Women in RACHP Network held a training event to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. The day is hosted by Carter Thermal Industries at their Net Zero Training and Innovation Centre. The centre is a space that has been designed to support, develop and educate those who want to move towards achieving net zero. A diverse group of RACHP professionals came together to focus on the importance of design to achieve energy reduction, review the international standards and learn why design decisions are taken.

14th March 2024 - Celebrating International Women's Day

On the 14th of March, the IOR Women in RACHP Network celebrated International Women's Day by holding a training day that enable people with sales and support roles to spend the day learning the principles behind refrigeration and gain hands-on experience of taking part in practical sessions. The course was open to anyone with an interest in RACHP. The course was hosted by Beijer Ref at their Leeds Academy. 

14th June 2023

On the 14th June, the IOR Women in RACHP Network held a meeting celebrating INWED 2023. The meeting was a training day that enabled people in sales and support roles to spend the day learning the principles behind refrigeration and gain hands-on experience by taking part in practical sessions. The course was open to anyone with an interest in RACHP and was hosted by Business Edge.

 8th March 2022 - Celebrating International Women's Day

On the 8th of March, the IOR Women in RACHP Network celebrated International Women's Day by holding a training day that enable people with sales and support roles to spend the day learning the principles behind refrigeration and gain hands-on experience of taking part in practical sessions. The course was open to anyone with an interest in RACHP. The course was hosted by Business Edge. 

March 2020 - Women in RACHP Networking Lunch

The network held a Scottish Regional Meeting at the Women in RACHP Networking Lunch hosted by KoolTech at their Glasgow office. 

June 2019  - Women in RACHP Career Development Day

On the 21st June, the IOR Women in RACHP Network held a training day to celebrate the 2019 International Women in Engineering Day. The day included the practical hands-on morning session "Getting to grips with service and maintenance - practical exercises for non-engineers." The afternoon session explored the topic of Confidence in dealing with difficult and awkward situations.

March 2019 - Women in RACHP Networking Lunch

On the 15th March 2019, the network held its first Scottish Regional Meeting at the Women in RACHP Networking Lunch hosted by KoolTech at their Glasgow office. 

June 2018 - Women in RACHP Career Development Day

On the 22nd June, the IOR Women in RACHP Network held a training day to celebrate the 2018 International Women in Engineering Day. The theme of the 2018 event is ‘Raising the Bar’. The day included a practical hands-on morning session. Followed by an afternoon training event  "Get clear, get confident - a masterclass in gaining focus and staying motivated". 

March 2018 - Breakfast networking meeting:  

On the 14th March, the Women in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, and Heat Pumps held a breakfast networking event hosted by Bitzer UK in Milton Keynes.  Delegates heard practical advice from experts on career development and had the opportunity to network with others working in the RACHP sector.  

June 2017 - Career development day

Read a review of the day by Samantha Buckell,  Chair of the Network

As part of the International Women in Engineering Day on the 23rd June 2017, the Women in RACHP network held a training course focusing on carer development for women from the RACHP sector. The event was hosted by Cool Concerns and offered delegates the opportunity to have hands-on practical experience of working with refrigeration equipment as well as taking part in an interactive afternoon session focusing on personal and career development.