Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on how technology and continuous training are transforming the skilled trades, particularly in attracting and retaining new technicians. This panel features Amrit Robbins, CEO of Axiom Cloud,  Kyle Eastwood, Refrigeration Specialist at Axiom Cloud, and  Joe Stough, VP of Strategy and Technology at ARI. We cover how the industry can better support technicians by combining training, mentorship and technology, as well as leveraging AI to learn, reduce diagnostic time, cut callbacks, and even reduce overnight and weekend work.

In this episode, we discuss:

(04:19) Why Techs Matter More Now Than Ever

(05:34) Being Better Prepared for Service Calls

(12:38) Training, Mentorship and AI in Refrigeration

(17:50) Proactive Maintenance

(19:40) CO2 Refrigeration Systems

(21:33) Breaking the CO2 Stigma

(24:40) Advice for CO2 Calls

(25:36) Technician Shortage Reality

(26:59) Two-Part Refrigeration Industry Fix

(27:54) Making Trades Attractive

(33:29) Validating Technician Training

(42:05) Proving ROI on Training

Helpful Links & Resources:

Episode 288. The Payoff of Investing Time & Money in Training with Jesse Stewart

Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill

Episode 408. Retaining and Mentoring New Technicians (World Refrigeration Day Panel)

Axiom Cloud

ARI

Amrit Robbins on LinkedIn

Joe Stough on LinkedIn

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

In this special episode, we're marking World Refrigeration Day (June 26) with a panel discussion on retaining skilled refrigeration tradespeople and the importance of mentoring the next generation. Panelists Aidan Lucey, Erik Holland, Andrew Freeburg, Patrick Gregory, and Noah Walker discuss what kept them in the trade early on, as well as what great mentorship looks like, the challenges apprentices face today, and rapidly increasing technology and information quality across the refrigeration industry.

In this conversaton, we discuss:

(00:44) Why Mentorship Matters In the Trades

(05:50) What Kept People in the Trade

(12:33) Defining Great Mentorship

(19:36) Challenges for Apprentices Today

(25:13) Training Under Pressure

(25:58) Technical Complexity and AI in the Trades

(26:58) Building Safe Learning Culture

(30:30) Mentorship Structures That Work

(33:39) Career Advice for Apprentices

(39:06) World Refrigeration Day Reflections

(40:01) Mentor Lessons You Can't Google

(45:57) Recruiting the Next Generation of Refrigeration Professionals

Helpful Links & Resources:

World Refrigeration Day

Episode 374. Growing the Refrigeration Industry Globally with World Refrigeration Day Founder, Steve Gill

Episode 186: How To Attract Young People To The Refrigeration Trade With Rusty Walker

Aidan Lucey on LinkedIn

Erik Holland on LinkedIn

Andrew Freeburg on LinkedIn

Partick Gregory on LinkedIn

Learn more about Refrigeration Mentor Customized Technical Training Programs at www.refrigerationmentor.com/courses

Join the Refrigeration Mentor Hub here

In this episode, we're introducing a new segment called "Can You Solve This Service Call?" using real life examples to test your knowledge as a technician walking into a call. In this example, we've got a compressor running continuously, some key readings, however it's determined the compressor itself isn't the issue. We'll run through critical checks and processes for this common situation, all in an effort to outline things to look for and help techs identify root cause issues faster and more confidently.

In this episode, we cover:

(01:34) Example Service Call

(04:25) Sequence of Checks

(05:25) Key Check: Filter Drier

(09:30) Think Restriction First

(10:06) Service Call Checklists

(12:09) Building Customer Trust

Helpful Links & Resources:

DOWNLOAD: Free System and Compressor Troubleshooting Guide

Episode 360. Get Curious on Service Calls (For Faster Troubleshooting)

Episode 181: Ways To Be More Efficient As A Technician And How To Reduce Your Troubleshooting Time with Jim Marsen