Twelve of the industry’s brightest young talents will battle it out over three days (24-26 June) in front of a live audience of visitors to the show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) for six places in November’s final.

The competition is organised by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and is part of the world’s largest skills showcase for apprentice talent. It is sponsored by the UK’s largest F-Gas register REFCOM and leading heat pump technology provider Baxi.

The qualifying event, which is also supported by the industry’s umbrella body ACRIB (Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board), will test the apprentices’ skills in real-life scenarios including fault finding/diagnosis, fabrication, and the service and maintenance of technical equipment as well as everyday skills like time management and organisation. 

They will be required to complete two tasks lasting two and a half hours each. One will involve the replacement of components and electrical testing, and the other will focus on refrigeration pipework fabrication.

The judging panel. who will be assessing them in action, comprises experts from AE Refrigeration, Beijer Ref, Bitzer, Danfoss, Mapel Mechanical, RACHP School and TESCO.

The top six will go forward to compete for bronze, silver, and gold medals at the UK final in Wales this November.

Competitors under 21 at the time of the final and who score above average will also be considered for the UK’s international squad preparing to compete at the 2028 Skills Olympics in Aichi, Japan.