World Refrigeration Day Event Success

Celebrating World Refrigeration Day on 26th June, PRTC was delighted to host a varied event including the SkillFRIDGE competition and a number of demonstrations from industry experts. Scheduled to become an annual occasion, to celebrate with us read on ....

On 26th June 2019 Practical Refrigeration Training Centre hosted an event to celebrate World Refrigeration Day. The aims of the day were to promote learning and best practice.

This event was supported by industry experts and manufacturers. Apprentices in learning on the New Standard’s suite of qualifications were encouraged to participate in the day’s proceedings. Practical demonstrations with new and emerging technologies were available throughout the day.

As well as celebrating World Refrigeration Day Practical Refrigeration Training Centre hosted a SkillFRIDGE competition. This is something that we feel passionate about as promoting and supporting learning and encouraging best practice is what is required to ensure standards are maintained and achieved. In attendance, supporting the combined event were:

 Halcyon Drives ABB
 Toshiba
 Johnson Controls
 Mitie
 Wave Refrigeration
 East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Low Carbon Technology Group
 Growth Company Education and Skils
 Field Piece Instruments
 Institute of Refrigeration
 Pendle Refrigeration Wholesale Ltd
 Controls UK
 Derek Davies, Technical Consultant, Jointing Standards


Comments from the day:


Glen Greenbank, F.Inst.R., Managing Director of PRTC and Pendle Refrigeration Wholesale Ltd

“A very busy day and very worthwhile, with positive comments from all in attendance. It was particularly pleasing to see current students’ participating to increase their industry knowledge and understanding.”


Dawn Brissenden, Datateam SkillFRIDGE/WorldSkills UK

“The SkillFRIDGE National Competition heat was hosted by the Practical Refrigeration Training Centre (PRTC) in Burnley on 26th June 2019 where other events were held to celebrate the coinciding of World Refrigeration Day. The competition focussed on the skill challenges. However, all competitors were given the chance to view live demonstrations from the European Association of Brazing, soldering expert Derek Davies and from Fieldpiece technical engineer, Kyle Chester-Marsden. All of whom sponsor consultancy and equipment respectively for the SkillFRIDGE National competition. The venue and equipment provided by PRTC fitted this heat of the competition perfectly and all the competitors were able to delivery on the day.”

Laura Hayton, Account Manager Halcyon Drives/ABB

“Ian and Glen invited Halcyon Drives and ABB to exhibit at the SkillFRIDGE competition, hosted by Practical Refrigeration Training centre Ltd on World Refrigeration Day. It was great to meet both the companies who utilise the services at PRTC and the students who train there. It was also great to see the competitors in action! Promoting ABB with a VSD demo rig and an energy saving demo case highlighted the importance to many for adopting a variable speed drive into the power drive system for both process control but more importantly the ability to reduce carbon emissions.

PRTC are a fantastic training centre, it’s clear to see how much the teachers invest into their students and Halcyon Drives are very much looking forward to working with the team in the future so their students can confidently understand how the VSD can be used in the future to provide a greater service for their client.”


Terry Collier, Technical Sector Director, GC Education and Skills

“The SkillsFRDIGE event on the 26th was a hive of activity … whilst the captains of industry battled for supremacy the rest of the refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices had the benefit of engaging in the event through networking with other providers, employers and industry experts. Skilfully assigned tasks linked to the behaviours in their apprenticeship standard to maximise their learning experience from the event …PRTC operated this event seamlessly enhancing the profile of all involved.”


Ben Wilson, SkillFRIDGE competitor, Knights Engineers

“I believe the SkillFRIDGE competition is a great learning experience and provides an excellent avenue to be able to challenge and push yourself further. I was thrilled to be a part of it and the potential of reaching the final is a very exciting prospect.”


Ian Cross, M.Inst.LM Programme Development Co-ordinator at PRTC

“As a leading Training Centre delivering the new suite of standard qualifications, as well as a full comprehensive range of commercial and be-spoke Refrigeration / Air-conditioning courses. We were thrilled and honoured to be able to host the World Refrigeration Day event here at Practical Refrigeration Training Centre. Supporting the RACHP Industry as well as the Skill Fridge Competition is something that we feel strongly about. Encouraging the next generation of skilled engineers to contribute to their industry is vital to ensure the industry moves forward, this is particularly pleasing to see. We will be hosting this event annually for the foreseeable future and we have been encouraged by the levels of support from everyone who attended “

Halcyon Drives/ABB

A special thank you must also go to Halycon Drives/ABB who have donated a demonstration rig to the Training Centre for the students to work on within their qualifications. This very kind donation will benefit the students directly.