The partnership aims to help businesses in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry attract and keep skilled engineers. According to a member survey conducted in late 2025, 70% of REFCOM members identified recruitment and retention as a major challenge for their business.
Key Features of the Packages
The new benefits are designed to be affordable and easy to manage, with costs starting from approximately £7 per employee per week. Key features include:
* Financial Protection: Coverage for death benefits and permanent disability.
* Injury Support: Benefits for accidental injuries.
* Income Support: Weekly sick pay for employees.
* Simple Administration: No medical checks are required, and the plans are designed to scale as a business grows.
Jill Nicholls, Director of Competence and Compliance at REFCOM, stated that the research highlighted a clear need for practical tools to help members look after their teams. She noted that providing these benefits helps businesses stand out as preferred employers.
Welplan, which has over 60 years of experience in the construction and engineering sectors, is part of the BESA Group. The organisation reinvests its profits back into the industry to help raise professional standards.
Andy Francis, Deputy Director at Welplan, emphasised that the service is designed to handle the 'heavy lifting' of administration, providing peace of mind for both employers and their workforce.