WHEN air conditioning engineer Simon Dawes of Total Environmental Network was crowned the 2009 UK Skillfridge champion in July, it was the culmination of six years' dedicated training in a job he just 'fell into' after being denied an army career.
The challenging three-day Skillfridge competition at South Birmingham College organised by SummitSkills is the culmination of an event designed to promote the standards and abilities of the acr industry's best trainee engineers.

And Simon Dawes certainly benefited from his participation. 'I learned a lot and gained a lot of experience,' he said, also paying tribute to the undoubted skills of his fellow competitors.

Simon started working in the acr industry in 2003 after a broken leg ended his hopes for an Army career. Family friend Dave Mitchell, md of Total Environmental Networks, in Bridgwater, Somerset, offered him the chance to become an acr apprentice and although it wasn't something he had ever considered, he jumped at the chance. For four years the youngster worked as a labourer and really enjoyed the variety and hands on aspect of the job, travelling around the country installing all types of ac units in different locations and environments. But Simon wanted to gain the qualifications to support his increasing practical knowledge.

In 2007 he enrolled at City of Bath College to study for an NVQ level 2 in small commercial refrigeration and air conditioning.

Simon said: 'I enjoyed learning how things work and the right way to do things. It was pretty tough attending college and working at the same time, but I wanted to make it work and be successful. It was through the college that I first heard about SummitSkills and their skills competitions.'

After two years, Simon's tutor chose the two best students to enter Skillfridge. Candidates had to complete a theory test and installations based on real-life work situations, including brazing and electrical wiring, to a high specification and within tight timescales. For the UK final, the six finalists were tested on coldroom installations and small split system ac installations.

When he was announced the winner, Simon was shocked and delighted and his boss David Mitchell was impressed; it was the first time they had even entered an apprentice into Skillfridge.
Mr Mitchell said: 'Simon is one of a number of highly trained individuals within our organisation as a result of being involved in Skillfridge. The main concern within our industry is the lack of a full five-year apprenticeship system, but if more employers took on apprentices there would not be a skills shortage.'

Simon agreed and added that the competition made him realise just how much he has learnt as an apprentice. He said: 'I am learning all the time and adapting to new technology.'

New regulations, so often seen as a hassle to experienced engineers, are welcomed by apprentices. Simon said: 'The regulations are introduced to make the industry safer and more efficient.'

SummitSkills
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