17 Oct 2018
Preparation for the last leg of the SkillFRIDGE competition has begun as the six qualifying apprentices from the national heats hone their skills and sharpen their knowledge in readiness to compete in the SkillFRIDGE final, taking place at WorldSkills UK LIVE.
Held at Birmingham’s NEC from 15-17 November, WorldSkills UK LIVE is the UK’s largest apprenticeships and careers event of which the RACHP sector, with its associated SkillFRIDGE competition, is just one part.
Vying to come away with the SkillFRIDGE gold medal are Chandler Davison and Kevin Ballantine, who are both training with Bath College and employed with Thermocold Ltd and TKB Air Conditioning, respectively; Sam Gills, who is employed and trained by Star Refrigeration; Refrigeration Lindum’s Thomas Thompson, who is studying at Grimsby Institute; Dominic Dray from Royale Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, training with Eastleigh College; and Dunbia Foods’ Edward Davis, who studies at Cardiff and Vale College.
Over the course of the three-day event, the apprentices will be tasked with the completion of a series of challenging assignments under test conditions, in a comprehensive examination of their overall knowledge, practical skills, and adherence to industry standards.
The gold, silver and bronze medallists will be announced at a ceremony on the final day of WorldSkills UK LIVE.
Those who score sufficiently highly in the SkillFRIDGE final will also be eligible to compete at a global level in the WorldSkills international competition, forming part of Squad UK and going head-to-head with the very best talent from a host of other countries across the world.
For more information on the SkillFRIDGE competition series, visit www.skillfridge.co.uk
14 Jan 2026
It's all in the latest IOR Newsletter! This issue includes technical updates, progressing the skills objectives and tips on how to make the most of your membership including how to apply for Engineering Council registration.
6 Jan 2026
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5 Jan 2026
Members should have received the latest IOR Programme Card, highlighting events that will take place over the coming months. We're kicking things off in January with two events!
18 Dec 2025
The European Commission is reviewing the energy label and ecodesign regulations for commercial refrigeration to assess how these Regulations have performed and to identify potential improvements.
11 Dec 2025
The IOR is pleased to announce the appointment of Matt Harvey as its new Education Outreach Manager to lead education outreach initiatives with schools, vocational colleges, and employers.