On 12 March the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) confirmed its approval of a new apprenticeship standard for the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician, developed by employers in the industry, with the support of industry bodies Institute of Refrigeration and the Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Industry Board.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “Apprenticeships are a real success story. Through giving leading employers in your sector the power to design and deliver high quality apprenticeships we can give young people the skills our economy vitally needs.

“I congratulate the members of the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Trailblazer on their involvement in designing the new apprenticeships for RACHP Engineering Technicians, which we have published today.”

The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) says that the move is a major step forward in improving skills and encouraging young people to take up careers in the sector and president, Graeme Maidment FInstR, said it is critical that the industry leads the development of skills for the RACHP sector.

Mr Maidment believes the new RACHP Engineering Technician apprenticeship will enable the industry to support and engage with young people at an early stage in their career. He said: “The Institute of Refrigeration is proud to be working with so many employers, trainers and with trade associations through ACRIB on this exciting, ground-breaking project. There is much more work to be done to bring this new standard to the market but we are confident that with continued high levels of support from employers, it will make an immediate and lasting contribution to the future of the industry.”

The new apprenticeship standard outlines the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to achieve full competence in RACHP Engineering Technician job roles. The standard was developed by a group of 12 employers designated a ‘Trailblazer’” by BIS. They will continue now to prepare an assessment plan, leading to a new apprenticeship for the RACHP Engineering Technician, linked to Engineering Council national standards.

Chairman of the group is John Austin-Davies FInstR (commercial director of George Barker & Co (Leeds) Ltd). He and the other employers, large and small, are committed to seeing this new approach through. He said: “Training to a consistent, and nationally agreed standard, is more important in this industry now than ever before. Our Industry is a major energy user, and in addition to the energy consumption there are other very significant environmental aspects, all of which mean that the technology is moving fast.

“We must be confident that we have a well prepared workforce to install safely and correctly, and maintain working with optimum efficiency. The Apprenticeship Trailblazer programme is the best opportunity we have to make the step-change necessary.”

The apprenticeship is designed to be delivered over three years, with a strong focus on applying relevant scientific principles and fundamentals and a much clear role for the employer in work-based training.

The next stage of development will include many more opportunities for further consultation within the RACHP industry, including training providers, existing apprentices, employers, manufacturers and those responsible for developing qualifications. 

The announcement of the success of the new RACHP Apprenticeship Standard was made during National Apprenticeship Week.