Years 9, 10 and 11 students from four high schools in Sydney’s south west region came together to apply classroom mathematical concepts learnt during their Mathematics in Trades study unit to HVAC&R scenarios as part of the NSW Government’s Educational Pathways Pilot Program.

The refrigeration and air conditioning industry experts involved in this initiative were Rene Hvejsel and Brett Hedge from Kirby, Pravneel Singh and Gary Ha from Daikin, and Kevin O’Shea and Joy Shen from the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (RACCA).

On the day, students from James Busby High School, Miller Technology High School, Ashcroft High School and Liverpool Boys High School used equations to measure the mass flow of a refrigeration unit and calculate heating efficiency, alongside copper pipe bending activities.

The Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said connecting students with industry was a top priority, “Creating a synergy between training pathways and industry’s needs through the EPPP will reduce skill shortages and create a highly employable workforce.”

“Particularly in the current climate where NSW is relying on the trades workforce to plug skills gaps exacerbated by the pandemic,” Mr Lee said.

The day was a resounding success, and it was part of RACCA, Daikin and Kirby’s contribution to 2021 World Refrigeration Day theme ‘cooler careers’.

The President of RACCA Australia Kevin O’Shea added that, “The advantages of this concept over normal career days is we are the only trade on display therefore we are not drowned out by other trades.”

RACCA would like to thank the school staff for their hard work in making the day a success. Special thanks to Joyce Choucair from the Department of Education, Daikin, and Kirby whose efforts made the day possible for the school children.