The Tip of the Iceberg podcast - Beyond Refrigeration

5 - Getting the best people into the industry

For this episode we talk about how much this industry has to offer the right people and get some tips from the experts on how to organise work placements and make best use of apprentices. I'm joined by  Jessica Long, Sam Jones and Millie Edwards. They have been working with their local school get pupils involved in work experience placements that contribute both to the business and to the young persons' career prospects.  As part of the Beyond Refrigeration theme of developing the best people and skills, we talk about how we can make young people more aware of all that the industry has to offer.
 
For a link to careers resources and the example work placement timetable we talk about in the episode see:
www.ior.org.uk/careers  :
Ideas for working with schools (IOR free Guidance note)
How to become recognised as a STEM Ambassador (IOR free Guidance note)
More about the STEM programme (IOR free Guidance note)
Using the IOR Fantastic Fridges website with schools (IOR free Guidance note)
Careers in Cooling with the IOR  youtube video
fantasticfridges.com with careers info and science explanations
STEM Ambassadors programme provides Training and registration with website to match you with local careers events  www.stem.org.uk/stem-ambassadors
The Enterprise Adviser Network can help link you with a local school to develop a careers strategy  www.careersandenterprise.co.uk
Local vocational colleges and schools are now offering T-Levels that include 45 days of industry placement for students https://www.tlevels.gov.uk  
 

4 - The Net Zero Cold Chain - why we need a more coherent approach

This podcast was recorded as part of the IIR International Cold Chain and Sustainability Conference held in April 2022 and organised by the Institute of Refrigeration.  
We invited a team of experts to discuss carbon reduction opportunities. Can the global cold chain do more with less, whilst at the same time meeting changing customer demands?  What will be the role of new business models, improved data sources and coherence across stakeholders in making more rapid gains towards net zero and more effective policy solutions?
Join our panel of speakers with guest chair Julie Hanson of the Global Cold Chain Alliance.

3 - Are we on track for the future with RACHP skills?

This podcast features John Skelton and Richard Parr talking about the future of skills and training in the RACHP sector.  They look at why  everyone is going to have to up their game, as far as skills go, to achieve net zero objectives.  From fundamentals to new technologies, integration to behaviours.  We ask what does the future hold for training and how can we as individuals make a difference.
And for those interested in following up on some of the STEM initiatives that John and Richard mention in the discussion there are some links at the IOR website here https://ior.org.uk/careers 

2 - A shopping list of opportunities: retail refrigeration and Net Zero

In this podcast, we talked to IOR Fellow Brian Churchyard about the complex balancing act that food retailers are facing as they work towards a net zero future.  We cover environmental topics such as the interplay between direct and indirect emissions, the need to look at whole life cycle costs, as well as energy use profiles – and discuss where refrigeration fits in. What are the challenges around finding simple, cost-effective engineering solutions and what does the future look like for low carbon retail refrigeration?  Brian is passionate about the opportunities for engineers to address these types of challenges, the contribution that service engineers are making and the positive impact of a successful refrigerant containment strategy.  Brian also shares some good advice for anyone who wants to make a difference in the journey to net zero in any sector or role.    

1 - Live from Las Vegas at the ASHRAE Winter Meeting

This week I talked to Graeme Maidment and Catarina Marques live from the largest gathering of refrigeration, air conditioning, heat pump experts in the world - the ASHRAE Winter meeting.  Graeme and Cat share what it's like to be back at international events, what they learned about motivation and collaboration, and why they think solving international problems like low carbon buildings, diversity and addressing covid safety, need better ways of working.
 
 

Welcome to our first podcast

A quick introduction to the kinds of topics and people we will be talking to in this new Institute of Refrigeration podcast series hosted by Miriam Rodway our Chief Exec.
We want to know what topics you are interested in so send your suggestions and comments in to miriam@ior.org.uk