World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Refrigeration and air conditioning take world stage

RUSSIA: Young and aspiring refrigeration and air conditioning engineers from across the world take centre stage tomorrow with the official opening of the 45th WorldSkills Competition in Kazan, Russia.

The biennial competition, taking place at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre from 22-27 August, brings together more than 1,300 young professionals from 63 countries and regions who will compete in 56 skills. 

This year’s event sees 28 young people competing in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning skills event. They will be tested on their skills through a series of stand alone modules. These tests include brazing, equipment knowledge, installation, commissioning and adjustment, fault finding and component replacement.

“The young people who have travelled to Kazan from all over the world have trained long and hard to show us skills at the very highest level and to seek the ultimate goal: to go home as WorldSkills champions,” said WorldSkills International CEO David Hoey. He also acknowledged the growth of the event: “WorldSkills now encompasses an astonishing two thirds of the world’s population and reaches into ever new regions.

“Our Members now come from every continent, with populations that range from more than one billion to just a few hundred thousand. Large and small, what they all understand is the power of skills to change lives and the vital importance of vocational training and education,” he added.

“For all the young women and men taking part, this event is an opportunity to show their considerable talents and years of training, but also to advance and learn from the global community of experts gathered here in Kazan,” commented WorldSkills president Simon Bartley.

This year’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning skills competitors:

Latest News

15th September 2026

UN secretary-general urges shift to sustainable cooling

USA: United Nations secretary-general António Guterres has urged countries to implement the Kigali Amendment and accelerate the shift to sustainable cooling.
15th September 2026

Nordic Climate acquires Dutch contractor

NETHERLANDS: Dutch Bakker Vakkeuken, a Dutch contractor specialist in commercial kitchen and refrigeration technology, has become part of the Swedish Nordic Climate Group.
15th September 2026

Delivering year-round comfort to historic community sports club

UK: Mitsubishi Electric air-to-air heat pumps are now providing heating and cooling to a privately-run sports venue built in the early 1900s in Sefton, north Liverpool.
15th September 2026

High-temperature hydrocarbon heat pumps

IRELAND: Johnson Controls has launched the Sabroe HitemHP line of industrial high-temperature heat pumps to meet market demand for output temperatures above 90°C.
14th September 2026

HPA UK joins Mark Williams as communications head

UK: The Heat Pump Association UK has appointed Mark Williams as its new head of policy and communications.
14th September 2026

Yankee Stadium disinfected in New York LD outbreak

USA: The cooling tower at the Yankee Stadium in New York’s South Bronx is one of 10 ordered to be treated following a legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the city.