The Alliance has been set up to bring employers, training providers and industry bodies together to tackle long-term skills needs across refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps. The first meeting will outline the Alliance’s purpose, how organisations can get involved, and the outcomes it aims to deliver. Attendees will hear short talks and take part in breakout discussions on topics such as talent pipelines, qualifications and employer engagement.
Bowden said he plans to use his experience on the IOR Education Committee to help guide the Alliance’s direction and support stronger collaboration across the sector. He described the role as a chance to unite partners, strengthen shared standards and support long-term industry resilience.
Harris said his focus will be on ensuring training reflects real employer needs, drawing on his background as both a refrigeration engineer and college lecturer. He highlighted the importance of employer partnerships, school engagement and clear entry routes that help more young people join the profession.
The meeting will also provide updates on current IOR education and skills initiatives, including STEM programmes aimed at inspiring future engineers. The Alliance is expected to become a central forum for aligning training with employer needs, influencing qualification design and sharing labour market insight to support future planning.
Registration for the launch event is available at https://ior.org.uk/events/ISA-Apr26. Those unable to attend can register for updates at https://bit.ly/4aY3qN5.