The largest ever field for the RACHP WorldSkills UK competition reaches the qualifying stage with heats being held live during the InstallerSHOW at Birmingham’s NEC next week.
The event will be hosted across three days (June 23-25) and will feature 18 qualifiers competing to reach the final in Wales this November. The candidates who have made it this far range in ages from 41 to 18 which makes this the most age diverse competition to date and reflects the changing demographic of the industry.
The competition is organised by the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and is part of the world’s largest skills showcase for apprentice talent. The initiative is backed by BAXI, a leading provider of heating and hot water solutions, as its primary investment partner, alongside valued in-kind contributions from other key industry players.
The qualifying event will test the apprentices’ skills in real-life scenarios including fault finding/diagnosis, fabrication, and the service and maintenance of technical equipment as well as everyday skills like time management and organisation.
They will be required to complete two tasks lasting two and a half hours each. One will involve the replacement of components and electrical testing, and the other will focus on refrigeration pipework fabrication including pressure testing.
The full list of 18 competitors can be found here and the judging panel. who will be assessing them in action, comprises experts from Beijer Ref, Danfoss, Daikin, Maple Mechanical, Catalent, Grange Designs, Shelly Group and BAXI.
Olympics
The top six will go forward to compete for bronze, silver, and gold medals at the UK final in Wales this November. Competitors under 21 at the time of the final and who score above average will also be considered for the UK’s international squad preparing to compete at the 2028 Skills Olympics in Aichi, Japan.
“We are delighted to be hosting the largest ever field of competitors for WorldSkills UK,” said BESA’s technical director Kevin Morrissey. “This demonstrates the strength of emerging talent in our industry, and I would like to congratulate all 18 who have made it this far.
“The apprentices are all excited to put their skills to the test in a high‑intensity, competitive environment, while gaining valuable experience and learning from others. Many say they are looking forward to stepping out of their comfort zones, meeting like‑minded competitors, and benchmarking themselves against peers with the same drive to succeed,” he added.
The overall WorldSkills competition involves more than 80 countries and is a partnership between the education sector, businesses, and governments. It was set up over 60 years ago as a way of helping young people develop through competitions-based training, assessment, and benchmarking to support economic growth and create employment opportunities.
“We believe STEM skills and engineering talent will play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future,” said Paul Haynes, Baxi’s product, solutions and marketing director.
“As we transition to clean heat and hot water solutions, developing the next generation of engineers has never been more important, which is why we are incredibly proud to sponsor this WorldSkills UK competition and support these 18 outstanding competitors as they showcase their skills, ambition and innovation.
“They represent the future of our industry, and we’re excited to see the opportunities and rewarding careers that lie ahead of them. Their talent and dedication will help drive the technologies and solutions that support the UK’s journey to net zero,” he added.
BESA pointed out that many competitors found their way into the RACHP industry through personal connections, work placements, or a desire for a more hands-on career in engineering and construction. It said that the mix of practical problem-solving and technical learning, alongside the variety of day-to-day work, made the industry challenging and rewarding.
The RACHP competition particularly focuses on the hands-on nature of the work, particularly tasks such as brazing, pipework, servicing, and troubleshooting complex systems like chillers.
“I wasn’t completely sure what to expect when I joined the trade, but every day has been more fulfilling as I’ve progressed,” said one of the competitors. “Learning new skills, troubleshooting on site, and knowing no two days are the same has really confirmed this is the career for me.
“I enjoy the practical side of RACHP, especially brazing and fault‑finding. Being given a specific problem and working through it to get a positive result is really satisfying, and the competition is a great chance to test myself and see how far my skills have come.”
Register here to view the competition at the show or follow BESA socials for live updates on the day.