If any reminder was needed, the last year has highlighted the importance of refrigeration, as the world has witnessed a monumental roll-out of the vaccine programme to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Without suitable refrigeration systems, transporting and storing the vaccines is not possible. In fact, 40% of the world’s vaccines are unusable due to lack of reliable cold chain in many parts of the world.
Inadequate cold chain systems also mean people go hungry around the world. According to the International Institute of Refrigeration, around 475 million tonnes of lost food could be saved every year, which could feed 950 million people. Half of all food should be kept cold but currently only 25% is due to the lack of refrigeration.
With this picture in mind, the 2021 World Refrigeration Day (WRD), taking place on 26 June will highlight the importance of adequate refrigeration systems and a series of 16 webinars, taking place in the weeks before and after WRD, will promote refrigeration-related careers.
“Refrigeration is at the very heart of modern life,” said Steve Gil, the head of the World Refrigeration Day Secretariat. “More than 15 million people are employed worldwide in the refrigeration sector. The webinars will celebrate the contributions of these dedicated professionals in the design, construction, maintenance, and regulation of controlled environments and will help us to attract a new generation of cooling champions.”
The webinars, describe the many career paths available to students and practitioners in the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps industry. Named Cooling Champions: Cool Careers for a Better World, the webinars will describe trends and opportunities in the technologies that deliver comfort, support the cold chain that provides food and life-saving vaccines, and stabilise the Earth’s climate.
A rewarding and varied career
World Refrigeration Day was launched in 2019 in an effort to promote the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. To date, more than 300 companies and professional, scientific and trade associations are supporters of World Refrigeration Day, among them Hoshizaki UK & Ireland.
“We are delighted to be representing the foodservice industry again as a main sponsor for World Refrigeration Day. As a leading supplier of commercial refrigerators and ice machines, Hoshizaki relies on its talented workforce to keep it at the front of market innovation,” said Simon Frost, director, Hoshizaki UK & Ireland.
“To do this we must keep looking ahead and so we relish the opportunity to welcome fresh talent into the refrigeration industry, so they can also embark on a rewarding and varied career. ”
Steve Gill of the WRD said the partnership with manufacturers and other supporting organisations is vital. “Partnering with these organisations enables the refrigeration industry to reach out globally, with particular emphasis on developing countries, to expand the workforce that supports life-giving and society-dependent technologies,” he said. “Opportunities within the industry abound for young people with a wide range of career aspirations. Advanced cooling technologies provide them with a profession that improves life in their communities and in the world as a whole.”
Tina Nielsen
