2 Months ago 
The Kirby Apprentice Fund will undertake its 4th apprentice scholarship program in October 2024.
As part of its commitment to support industry apprentices and strengthen the technical skills of the HVAC&R industry, 15 CO2 training scholarships have been awarded to 4th-year HVAC&R apprentices across Australia. The apprentices will undertake nationally accredited training to gain competency in the safe handling of CO2 and repair and service of CO2 refrigeration systems.
Congratulations to the following technicians who have been awarded a scholarship. Nicholas Bakopoulos-Cooke (NSW), Jacob Kuhn (QLD), Jake Dixson (VIC), Amy Murray (QLD), Mitch Hart (VIC), James Russell (VIC), Sean Gregory (VIC), Samuel Appleby (NSW), Janamdeep Singh (SA), Caillean Byrne (QLD), Dylan Clark (QLD), Tyson Iredale (WA) Daniel De Angelis (VIC), Laura Mackenzie-Stirling (TAS), Blair Goldburg (QLD).
Beijer Ref marketing manager Elizabeth Paparo explains the scholarships were awarded based on the merit of applications received.
“Some of the apprentices have already had exposure to CO2 refrigeration systems and some have not. However, all that were awarded scholarships see the value in upskilling and preparing themselves for the future where CO2 systems will be more widespread across in the industry.”
“To enable expansion of the program we also invited industry customers and suppliers to join us and ‘sponsor an apprentice’. Thanks to the generous support of Copeland, Danfoss, Woolworths, SuperCool Group, Testo, Aspen and Sauerman, we have been able to make this the largest cohort to date.”
In addition, the program has also been expanded upon to include an additional training day, covering refrigeration control systems, refrigerants and the refrigerants phasedown.
Upon completing their apprenticeship and achieving their CO2 accreditation the technicians also receive ARC Green Scheme Accreditation sponsored by the Australian Refrigeration Council.
In May 2024, this same CO2 Safety, System Repair and Service course delivered by SCM REF Australia and Superior Training Centre (RTO 41122 CRICOS Provider Number 03591C) as part of the scholarship program, was awarded Most Outstanding Education/Training at the ARBS Industry Awards.
By being registered in the Kirby Apprentice Fund, industry apprentices benefit from exclusive tool offers and more. Visit kirbyhvacr.com.au for more information or to register yourself or your apprentice.