Entries have opened for the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) category of the global skills event, which brings together more than 80 countries. WorldSkills was created over 60 years ago to help young people develop through competition-based training and assessment, with the aim of supporting economic growth and creating new job opportunities.
BESA is an organising partner for the UK competition, which highlights both new and existing RACHP talent. Engineers aged 16 and over can now apply, with the chance to earn a place on the UK team for the 2028 international finals in Japan.
WorldSkills UK said it aims to help Britain become a 'skills economy' by raising the status of technical education and embedding high training standards to support jobs and investment.
The competition comes at a time when almost one million young people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training. Despite this, many RACHP employers say they struggle to find suitable applicants for apprenticeships and entry-level roles.
BESA’s head of competence, Stuart Rattray, said many young people may not have considered RACHP as a career, even though the sector has strong long-term prospects. He said the competition gives entrants a chance to show their abilities while also highlighting the industry’s role in areas such as healthcare, data centres, food safety and heat pumps.
Rattray added that employers often see clear benefits when they put forward candidates, with many reporting improved confidence and broader skills among their engineers. He said companies also gain visibility when their entrants perform well.
Competitors begin with an online test before moving to regional qualifiers at the InstallerSHOW in Birmingham in June. Six finalists will then take part in three days of practical tasks at the national finals in Wales in November. The tests, designed by industry specialists, cover areas such as fault finding, fabrication, refrigerant handling and system assembly.
The competition provides structured tasks, clear guidance and resources to support different learning styles, including neurodivergent entrants. Financial support is also available to ensure people from all backgrounds can take part.
Entrants must show they can work safely and accurately on tasks based on real industry situations, including diagnosis, maintenance, record keeping and handling refrigerants in line with environmental rules. The competition is open to Level 3 students or recent graduates with no more than three years of industry experience, and entrants must hold or be due to hold an F-Gas Category 1 certificate by June 23.
Rattray said the event is a valuable chance for people to demonstrate their talent on an international stage, while also helping the sector identify and address skills gaps through its links with government.