www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 7
Associations
The winner, Irwin van der Poll, receiving his award from Robert Fox. 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 " close-knit 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.
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 following 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
www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za RACA Journal I August 2025 7