The Australian Refrigeration Council is proud to continue its support for CCN’s NextGen program to recognise emerging talent in the climate control sector and promote this specialised sector as a profession of first choice.
For smart young people thinking about career options, this industry has it all – variety on the job, working with the latest technology, long term job security and great pay.
Skilled climate control technicians are vital to sustaining life as we know it, and to our environment.
They make a huge contribution to Australia’s future. There are very few aspects of everyday life that aren’t touched by this vital industry – transporting our food, maintaining comfortable living and working environments, and securing medical supplies and vaccines. The world would be a very different place without efficient, reliable climate control.
NextGen is a fine opportunity for talented young people to showcase their achievements. Our industry needs clever people like this, and this is an important way to nurture and reward young talent, to offer real world opportunities during their early years, and to encourage their love of the work and pride in how important it is.
Few industries offer such diversity and challenge. In addition to specialised areas like aviation, manufacturing, marine and mining, there are countless career options in the wider stationary and automotive sectors.
NextGen encourages entrants from all these sectors, and it is always encouraging to see employers proudly putting forward their brightest and best as candidates.
Our industry also has real workforce diversity, as evidenced by the ever-increasing female participation in our sector.
This year’s NextGen field included an unprecedented number of young female contenders, and ARC’s own data analysis shows that there are now three times as many women in our industry as there were three years ago – and eight times as many as there were five years ago.
It is no surprise that more than half of them are under 29 years old, especially when we see so many in the ‘Top 20 under 25’.
Our winners come from companies both large and small, who offer a training ground in which young people can thrive and prosper.
These employers are recruiting the best and the brightest, then giving them the training and support to join a diverse and specialised sector that is respected and recognised by the community.
Our industry applies ever-advancing technology to make a real and positive difference in an energy-efficient future, and we know this appeals to today’s clever students.
It also appeals to people who may have built another career and now see potential to do something more specialised and engaging.
This year’s Next Gen ‘Top 20 Under 25’ winners are already making their way in our industry. Whether they have come to climate control straight out of school or tried another trade first, whether they are first year apprentices, fully qualified tradies or planning to do a degree, they exemplify the enthusiasm and commitment that will ensure the future success of our industry.
We as an industry can be rightly proud of our Next Gen winners for 2024 – they are the best of the best. Congratulations, one and all.