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INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN

FRIGAIR

ACRA student crowned champion at FRIGAIR 2025 ' s inaugural Skills Development Hub

By Eamonn Ryan

The halls of FRIGAIR 2025 buzzed with more than just industry innovation during 4-6 June, as the exhibition proudly hosted its inaugural SAIRAC Expo Skills Development Hub competition.

Centre stage were the following contestants:

• Cayla Willers

• Irvin van der Poll

• Donovan Angel

• Gabankitse Malebaco

• Tebello Thebehae

• Trevor van Eden

The groundbreaking event saw these six promising young talents from across South Africa – hailing from three provinces( Western Cape, Free State and Gauteng) – put their HVAC & R expertise to the ultimate test. After a rigorous three-day challenge, Van der Poll emerged victorious, crowned the competition ' s first champion, with Cayla Willers second.

The Skills Development Hub was meticulously designed by SAIRAC and Interact Media Defined( IMD) Conferences, Exhibitions and Workshops to push participants beyond their comfort zones, covering a comprehensive array of practical and theoretical skills. Contestants were tested in crucial areas including:

• Electrical / 3-Phase motor testing and Star / Delta wiring

• Hand tools proficiency

• Refrigeration tubing

• Installation pipework, electrical work, pressure testing and evacuation

• Commissioning, including charging, pressure switch setting and superheat calculation

• Comprehensive theory tests

The competition underscored the depth of South Africa ' s skilled workforce in the air conditioning sector, a vital message amid the nation ' s high unemployment rate.

A PLATFORM FOR EXCELLENCE AND GROWTH

The success of the competition was a testament to strong industry collaboration. Generous sponsorship- from ACRA, SAIRAC, A-Gas, Danfoss, DROMEX, ebm papst, Evapco, GMC Airconditioning, Metraclark, Rothenberg Tools and testo- provided the essential resources, while dedicated judges, including esteemed figures chief judge Jaco Pieterse, with Laurie Jacobs, Hennie Basson and Pieter Potgieter, volunteered their time to meticulously evaluate each competitor. Their fairness was particularly highlighted by SAIRAC’ s Grant Laidlaw, who noted the careful consideration given to all participants.

The contestants were recognised for their efforts, with prizes awarded to all six, but the top three additionally receiving cash awards: the firstplace winner received R8 000, second place R6 000, and third place R4 000. Additionally, two contestants received special recognition for their outstanding positive attitudes throughout the demanding competition: Van Eeden and Willemse.

MEET THE CHAMPION: VAN DER POLL ' S JOURNEY TO VICTORY

Speaking to Cold Link Africa, the inaugural champion, Irwin van der Poll, said he discovered his passion for air conditioning almost by chance. During a visit to ACRA with his father, he was captivated by the workshop ' s machinery, particularly motors and compressors. Assisted by Andrea( of ACRA), who guided them through the facility, he felt an immediate draw to the field, prompting him to pursue studies in refrigeration.

Reflecting on his experience in the competition, Van der Poll described it as both

All images by © Cold Link Africa

The six contestants receiving their awards:( l-r) Donovan Angel, Trevor van Eden, Cayla Willers, Robert Fox, Tebello Thebehae, Gabankitse Malebaco and Irvin van der Poll.

" exciting and challenging ", akin to a real-world trade test. Despite the inevitable nerves, he emphasised the importance of perseverance. " You can ' t afford to fail because of nerves," he shared, highlighting the mental fortitude required. He lauded the competition as a " really good challenge " and extended his respect to all participants, acknowledging the intensity felt by everyone.

Van der Poll is committed to a career in air conditioning and refrigeration, seeing his victory as a significant achievement to add to his resume. While he doesn ' t have immediate plans for the prize money, the experience itself was profoundly valuable.

VOICES FROM THE COMPETITION FLOOR: LEARNING UNDER PRESSURE

The competition drew a diverse group of participants, each with a unique journey into HVAC & R and varied levels of experience.

From electrical to refrigeration: Van Eden from Raetec in Paarl, who initially entered the air conditioning industry after finding a pamphlet in high school, expressed his deep interest in the field. He had previously excelled in provincial and national electrical skills competitions, even winning twice provincially. Despite finding the FRIGAIR competition " high above my head " given his less than six months of experience, he learned the crucial lesson: " come more prepared than you actually think you need to be ". He admitted to underestimating the preparation required but found the learning experience invaluable, confirming his desire to pursue an electrical career with newfound knowledge of refrigeration.

Embracing challenges as a learning curve: Willers, an apprentice from ACRA and who came second, initially considered welding before finding air conditioning. Drawn by the flexible individual courses offered, she discovered a passion for industrial machines and ammonia systems due to their ozone-friendly nature. She described the competition as " very, very intense ", especially with the added pressure of being continuously watched and even filmed. She acknowledged it was " a bit above my skills level at this moment " but viewed it as a vital " learning curve and experience ". Despite the physical demands of hand tooling, she was proud of her precise pipe bending and straight cuts, overcoming challenges as a female in a maledominated trade.

Unexpected exposure and inspiration: Malebaco, an electrical student from a Bloemfontein TVET college with a newly started artisan academy, found herself in the competition almost by chance. Her college sought exposure to refrigeration, a field they don ' t yet specialise in. Despite being at a " big disadvantage " for this reason, Malebaco felt " privileged " to be chosen from 300 students. She was " amazed " by the scale of the refrigeration industry, stating, " I didn ' t know refrigeration was that big " and felt inspired to learn more. She particularly appreciated the judges ' fairness, who adapted the tests to consider diverse strengths.

Veteran insights and continuous learning: Donovan Angel, a seasoned HVAC technician with 20 years of experience, represented OTTC as a contestant. Having trained extensively in ammonia and refrigeration and even lectured, he participated to get recertified on newer systems. Angel emphasised that the industry values practical skills beyond paperwork and celebrated the dynamic nature of the trade, the constant introduction of new technologies, and the strong camaraderie among professionals. He found the practical testing challenging but rewarding, particularly working with unfamiliar equipment, and appreciated the accommodating atmosphere of the industry, which he described as a " closeknit community ".

Electrician ' s newfound interest: Thebehae, another Bloemfontein TVET electrical learner, found the competition " really, really hard " but " immensely enjoyed it ". He learned " many things " from both the event and his fellow competitors. His participation ignited an interest in refrigeration and air conditioning, realising there were significant aspects of these fields he was unaware of. He now plans to integrate this newfound knowledge into his electrical career.

THE JUDGES ' PERSPECTIVE: FAIRNESS AND FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

The chief judge, Jaco Pieterse, praised the skills competition as " extremely well set out ", covering a broad range of electrical and mechanical skills to ensure a fair chance for all. While acknowledging the challenge faced by contestants from purely electrical backgrounds who unexpectedly encountered refrigeration tasks, he lauded the " excellent and world-class " equipment and logistics. For future competitions, Pieterse suggested organisational adjustments, particularly in the enrolment process and clearer eligibility marking, to ensure participants have a better understanding of the expected tasks.

Fellow judge Pieter Potgieter, echoed the sentiments on fairness, emphasising the pressure on students to perform in public. He highlighted the competition ' s crucial role in making the technical field more competitive, especially given the funding challenges for proper training. For Potgieter, developing young minds is a great pleasure, and he sees the competition as a vital step in guiding youth towards skilled careers and away from societal pitfalls.

The inaugural SAIRAC skills competition was a resounding success, not only in crowning a champion but also in providing a crucial platform for skill development, industry engagement, and inspiring the next generation of HVAC & R professionals. CLA

THE INAUGURAL FRIGAIR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT HUB: RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

The anticipation was palpable as competitors, judges and logistics staff gathered for the start of the inaugural SAIRAC Skills Development Hub competition at FRIGAIR 2025. Robert Fox, SAIRAC president, extended a warm welcome, expressing his hope that this pioneering event would become a cherished tradition, showcasing the depth of skill within the country ' s HVAC & R sector.

Grant Laidlaw, SAIRAC treasurer, then took the stage to outline the competition ' s crucial rules and schedule, ensuring a fair and structured environment for all six contestants.

The rigorous competition commenced at 9:00 am on 4 June and was set to conclude by 12:15 pm the Friday, whereafter judges would finalise their meticulous marking. Competitors were assigned individual numbers, corresponding to a detailed schedule that dictated their unique task timings and staggered lunch breaks.

Each participant received a lunch voucher, redeemable during their designated half-hour lunch slot. A strict warning was issued regarding punctuality, as any delays would directly impact a competitor ' s allocated task time.

UPHOLDING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY

Integrity and safety were paramount throughout the competition. Contestants were explicitly forbidden from using cell phones or engaging in any unauthorised communication with others, with immediate disqualification as the consequence for non-compliance. Bathroom breaks were encouraged to be scheduled strategically between tasks to minimise disruption.

Safety protocols were heavily emphasised. Participants were reminded to always wear appropriate safety shoes and to strictly observe all safety measures, particularly when working with refrigeration units and refrigerants.

A critical rule for all practical tasks was the documentation of every step and test performed. " If you don ' t write it down, you haven ' t done the test," Laidlaw stressed, highlighting that the onus was entirely on the competitor to ensure their actions were recorded for the judges. While judges would observe, the primary responsibility for documentation lay with the contestants.

Laidlaw clarified that the theory test was not a pass / fail component, but rather a means to assess broader knowledge, with some questions intentionally designed to be challenging.

To ensure a smooth flow, coordinators were on hand to provide logistical support, assisting competitors with tools or any other necessary equipment. However, a clear distinction was made: " They will help you. They will not assist you passing the test." Their role was facilitative, not instructional.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event of any disputes or questions regarding scoring, the chief judge held the ultimate authority. Should a moderation be required, the chief judge would consult with the designated moderator( who was also the competition ' s organiser), whose advice would inform the final, binding decision. This clear chain of command ensured fairness and transparency throughout the event.

As the competition officially began, participants embarked on a challenging yet invaluable experience, set to test their skills and push their boundaries within the dynamic world of HVAC & R.

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