The HVACR Leadership Awards continue to grow with even more categories included in the 2017 program.
Continued support for the awards program by sponsors and readers has allowed CCN to introduce an award for Tradie of the Year and Contractor of the Year.
This is in addition to a new dual award in the Rising Star category which will recognise a male and a female rising star.
Details of the expanded awards program were announced at the official launch of the 2017 HVACR Leadership Awards in Sydney yesterday.
HVACR Leader of the Year Award
This category is dedicated to an established industry professional that has contributed to the overall development of the HVACR industry. This is one of the most competitive categories in the program and attracts the biggest names in the industry.
Industry Rising Star Award
Once again ABB is sponsoring the Rising Star Award category which recognises young achievers under 35 years of age. This is the third year in a row that this category has been sponsored by ABB and for the first time in 2017 it will be a dual award for male and female stars.
ABB local business unit manager for drives, Michael Briggs, said the company believes it is important to recognize the achievements of upcoming talent within the industry.
“The rising stars coming up through the ranks today will inevitably become the leaders of the HVACR industry tomorrow,” Briggs said. “Recognising the achievements of these talented young people is an investment in the future of our industry.”
ABB has a range of programs to nurture talent including its Graduate Engineering Program (GEP) and its Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) which supports the development of young Indigenous Australians.
“Recognising and rewarding excellence is very much aligned to the values of ABB – it is an investment in the future and the success of our company and the industry as a whole,” Briggs said. “And with more women working in HVACR its important to put the spotlight on both young men and women who are achieving great things in our industry."
Sustainability Leader in HVACR
This award recognises excellence in sustainability. It is awarded to a person that has led an outstanding sustainable project, initiative or program or developed their very own sustainable product.
Emerging Leader in Energy Savings Award
Recognising an individual that has made significant strides in reducing energy use this is another category that recognises environmental excellence.
Woman of the Year in HVACR
Daikin is sponsoring the Woman of the Year in HVACR category for the second year in a row. The company's national marketing manager, Dan Tosh, said Daikin wants to encourage further participation of women in the HVACR industry by recognising high achievers.
“By encouraging gender diversity, the HVACR industry can benefit from new ideas and new perspectives and also draw from a larger talent pool,” he said. “We are proud to sponsor this award and commit to working toward a future where the participation, achievement and leadership of women in the industry is such that this award is eventually made redundant.”
Innovator of the Year Award
This award recognises an innovator that has led an outstanding project, product or program. There are so many ways to demonstrate excellence in this area, according to the sponsor of this award Toshiba Air Conditioning.
The company's business unit manager, John Caione, said this category is a natural alignment for Toshiba as the company is passionate about innovation.
“We were the first to market by, incorporating inverter technology in 1981 and since then we have always maintained our intent for the technological advantage,” Caione said. “Excellence in innovation is a key driver of growth and by recognising leaders in this area we encourage them and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.”
Tradie of the Year Award
Recognising excellence in the HVACR trade this award goes to a Tradie working in refrigeration, air conditioning or other heating and cooling trades (ie boilermaker) that has demonstrated outstanding ability and has the potential to be the best Tradie in the business.
This is a new category in the awards program and is sponsored by Temperzone.
Temperzone’s group marketing manager, David Staker, said this category is a perfect fit because it is a core company belief to support tradies.
“Whether it is through training or ensuring our products always make life easier for those working onsite, we have always been supportive of trade professionals,” he said. “We also know that fostering excellence within the trade helps us all. Without the trade, nothing happens. Units don't get installed, commissioned or serviced. Put simply, trade professionals are the ones that make it all happen. Without them, there is no industry.”
Staker said a Tradie of the Year Award sends a clear message that trade professionals are highly valued. “It's also an extension of a program Temperzone already has in place our Apprentice Program devotes considerable resources to help develop trade proficiency in areas like technical support, service and installation. Its important to keep the trade in safe, highly skilled hands.”
Contractor of the Year Award
This award recognises contracting excellence and provides applicants with an opportunity to showcase their business as a sole trader/contractor or a small business operator.
The Contractor of the Year will outline the innovative contracting skills that have set them apart in the market and provide customer references.
To nominate go to http://www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/awards
CCN Live
Once again winners of the HVACR Leadership Awards will be announced at the annual CCN Live event which will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2017. Now is the time to mark your diary as an exciting speaker program is planned which will be announced in the next edition of the magazine.
This year the theme for CCN Live, which is sponsored by Refrigerant Reclaim Australia (RRA) is “Trade Talk: The Way Forward.”
The event will bring together key industry groups to announce a range of new initiatives to strengthen the HVACR trade.