IOR Institute of Refrigeration

NEW ON-LINE IOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO SAIRAC MEMBERS.

SAIRAC Members can now join the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR, UK) as an eAffiliate member at a specially discounted partner membership fee. The price for this is just £20 – equivalent to about R385 (normally around £90 per year). This rate is only available to our members because of a partnership which our National Committee have recently agreed with the IOR to share resources and work more closely together.

The benefit of taking up an IOR eAffiliate membership subscription is access to:

over 300 technical bulletins to download from the IOR website including Safety Codes of Practice for the four refrigerant groups – usually retailing at £48 each for non members
new refrigerant elearning and training materials for alternatives such as carbon dioxide, flammables and ammonia
invitations to take part in technical webinars, with recordings accessible when you want to watch them and free Certificates for Professional Development when you participate
news and updates on refrigerant developments from the IOR
you can book to attend UK-based IOR conferences at member discount rates

SAIRAC members can find more information by logging into the SAIRAC members only area and selecting the IOR tab.

Latest News

09/10/2026

Skills for Work Consultation: Deadline Approaching

There is still time to contribute to the Skills England Skills for Work Consultation, which is exploring how occupational standards, qualifications and apprenticeships can better meet the needs of employers, learners, local economies and future workforce demands.

As part of the consultation, employers, training providers and industry stakeholders are invited to share their views on how the current system can be improved. This is an important opportunity for IOR members to highlight industry skills needs, influence the development of future qualifications, and support the case for additional apprenticeship pathways, including a Level 2 apprenticeship.

You can submit your comments and suggestions directly through the consultation here. The IOR will also be preparing an industry response on behalf of the IOR Industry Skills Alliance.

The consultation closes on 16 October 2026.

Development of a Sector-Specific T Level Pilot

At the recent IOR Industry Skills Alliance meeting, the Gatsby Foundation announced plans to explore a Building Services Engineering T Level pilot focused on Air Conditioning and Refrigeration occupational specialisms.

If you are interested in participating in a Gatsby Foundation roundtable discussion to consider how this pilot could be developed and delivered, please contact Matt Harvey, who will put you in touch with Gatsby Foundation representatives.

Voting for the Kenneth Lightfoot Medal Is Now Open

IOR members can now vote for the Kenneth Lightfoot Medal, which is awarded annually to the author of members’ favourite IOR paper from the previous session.

Three papers are competing for this year’s award. To revisit the shortlisted papers and cast your vote, visit the IOR website.

100 Schools. 3,000 Students. One Mission.

The IOR Industry Skills Alliance has set an ambitious target for its STEM outreach programme: to engage 100 schools and 3,000 students by Christmas, helping to inspire the next generation of talent to explore careers in our sector

Achieving this goal will only be possible with the support of those who are already making a difference in classrooms across the UK. If you are a STEM Ambassador working in the RACHP sector, the IOR is here to help you make your outreach activities even more engaging and impactful with resources including:

Career leaflets and information materials highlighting opportunities within the sector
STEM toolkits and hands-on classroom activities
LEGO-based learning resources that help explain how refrigeration systems work
Practical teaching materials designed to bring cooling technology to life

Interested in supporting the next generation? Contact the IOR to find out more about the STEM resources available and how we can help you with your outreach activities.

ACR News Awards 2027: Celebrating Excellence Across the RACHP Sector

The ACR News Awards, taking place on 18 February, celebrate the exceptional people who are helping to shape the future of the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sector. Nominations are now open for several categories including:

Trainee of the Year, recognising outstanding commitment and achievement from those at the start of their careers
Diversity in Industry, celebrating individuals or organisations championing inclusion and broadening participation across the sector
Environmental Hero, honouring those driving sustainable practices and environmental improvement
Service Engineer, recognising technical excellence and dedication to customer service in the field
Rising Star, highlighting emerging talent making a significant impact early in their career

If you would like to submit a nomination, please visit the ACR News Awards website at https://acrnewsawards.com/

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