Forty trainees to compete in SkillFridge
Around 40 refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices will compete in the regional rounds of the 2018 SkillFridge competition, which begin next week.
SkillFridge is the National skill competition for students and apprentices studying up to Level 3 RACHP.
Since January, colleges from across the UK have been identifying their most outstanding RACHP students and have put them in the running to compete in the SkillFridge 2018 competition. The series kicks-off next Tuesday (June 12) at Bath College, before moving to Eastleigh College on Thursday (June 14). The third heat takes place in Burnley on July 12 at the Practical Refrigeration Training Centre and the final round at Grimsby Institute on July 18.
The top seven scoring competitors will go on to compete at the SkillFridge final taking place at WorldSkills LIVE in November. The winner will receive their award at the ACR News Awards in March 2019.
Bath College, who will host the first regional heat, is the largest provider of apprenticeships in Bath, helping students find a suitable course and ensure they have the knowledge and skills required for their chosen career.
Simon Robinson, refrigeration and electrical learning coordinator at Bath College, host of the first regional heat, said: “The whole SkillFridge competition sets a high level of standard that the industry wants to be recognised for and Bath College are keen to support this ethos.
“The apprentices here feel it is an honour to get into the regional heats and realise they have been selected because they are showing signs of being potentially the best future engineers for the industry,” he added.
Eastleigh College assessor/verifier and lecturer Shaun Creech praised the competitive aspect of the event. “We have noticed that the students – year on year – get more competitive with each other to see who the best within the college is. When they get through to the regional and national finals, you see them step up again. You really see them improve, and become more confident and competent.”