IOR appoints training and skills guru

UK: The Institute of Refrigeration has appointed consultant Matt Harvey as its new education outreach manager to lead initiatives with schools, vocational colleges, and employers. 

According to the IOR, the 12-month consultancy contract is part of its education strategy to promote the right skills for the right roles in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump sector.

Harvey has over 20 years’ experience in employer engagement, education outreach and national skills development, including 15 years with his own consultancy business. He is also an ambassador for the London Chamber of Commerce.

In this new role, he will be visiting colleges and employers to gain information about their needs and raise awareness of how the Institute can support career development. He will be tasked with developing partnerships with STEM organisations, careers advisors and key organisations in the education sector, as well as taking part in a review of apprenticeship pathways to ensure they meet future demands.

In addition, he will be seeking to identify and pursue opportunities to expand and fund new training and outreach initiatives and partnerships.

Explaining the new role and appointment, IOR CEO Miriam Rodway said: “This will be a high profile, high visibility role, developing relationships, collecting information and attending events, as well as getting out and meeting members to discuss how the IOR can support them to address skills issues.”