Keeping his cool - CIT apprentice wins refrigeration and air conditioning award

Ryan Hanns, a Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) apprentice, is the 2019 winner of the Regional WorldSkills competition for refrigeration and air conditioning apprentices in the ACT.

The competition requires participating apprentices to demonstrate a variety of real-life refrigeration and air conditioning tasks. Ryan beat seven students vying for the top accolade, including three third year and four second year apprentices.

"It is incredibly humbling to win this award and compete against the very best in the region. I love my apprenticeship and take great pride in it. To be recognised at this level is a significant achievement. I'm looking forward to competing on the national stage in 2020," Ryan said.

Ryan is studying a Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration (UEE32211). He impressed the judges, including Adrian Anderson of Grosvenor Engineering Group, who said, "The apprentices of today hold the future wellbeing of our industry for tomorrow. This competition is an excellent scheme that allows competing apprentices to measure their current abilities and try complex tasks and practical challenges."

CIT Electrical/Refrigeration Trades Teacher, Lesa Cockburn, said, "The WorldSkills competition is a great way for top young apprentices to showcase their skills. The competition is useful for both our students and future employers. For competitors it gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills and for employers to witness first-hand the skill level of our future tradespeople."