ASHRAE Highlights 'Cool Skills' Theme for World Refrigeration Day 2025

ASHRAE is participating in World Refrigeration Day 2025 on June 26, supporting the global initiative to emphasize the critical role of skills development in the refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump (RACHP) sector. The 2025 theme, "Cool Skills," focuses on workforce readiness to enable sustainable and efficient cooling technologies.

World Refrigeration Day aims to raise awareness of the importance of the RACHP industry in health, comfort, and infrastructure. This year’s theme acknowledges the broad range of technical skills required to implement and maintain low-carbon cooling systems.

“As we face a growing demand for skilled talent across the built environment, our focus on workforce development ensures that the people behind the systems are prepared to meet the challenges of energy performance, resilience, and sustainability head-on,” said M. Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow Life Member and 2024–25 ASHRAE President.

As part of the WRD 2025 campaign, ASHRAE continues its collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction to provide tools such as the Checklists to Assess Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Plant Sustainability. These resources help plant managers and technicians benchmark energy efficiency and environmental performance. The checklists are available with free registration.

ASHRAE also offers web-based learning tools to support workforce development. These include “Energy Efficiency Literacy for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems” (3.5 hours), which covers updated performance standards and temperature data; “Refrigerants Literacy (SI)” (4.5 hours), available in English, Spanish, and French; and “Refrigerant Management for Future Engineers,” a free university-level course developed with UNEP.

Workforce development will also be featured at the ASHRAE 2025 Annual Conference, taking place June 21–25 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sessions will include topics such as career advancement in HVAC&R, decarbonization, and sector partnerships. Both in-person and virtual registration is now open.