Apprentice winner and copper tube manufacturer urging action to get young people into air con sector

Air conditioning entrepreneur and The Apprentice winner Dean Franklin has echoed a leading copper tube manufacturer’s call for urgent action on getting young people into the air conditioning sector.

Dean, winner of the long-running BBC show and co-founder of ADL Air Conditioning, spoke with Robert Lawton, owner of Coventry-based Lawton Tubes which supplies copper pipe and fittings into the industry all over the world, around the significant opportunities in the trade and the pressing need to address skills shortages.

In a candid conversation between the pair, Dean told Robert: “Air conditioning is a future-proof career. You can work anywhere in the world, and there will always be a job for you.

“But colleges can’t keep up with demand. Our apprentices face waiting lists and outdated training that doesn’t reflect the reality of the job.”

Dean, who grew his Essex-based air conditioning business from a two-man operation during lockdown to a 14-strong team, says demand is surging thanks to hotter summers, remote working, and growing expectations for home comfort.

But the skills pipeline is struggling to keep up. ADL’s apprentices face a six-person waiting list for air conditioning courses at its local college, which is 45 miles away. Many other providers in the area have already closed their doors.

Dean believes that without major investment in training and education, including updated NVQ courses focusing on real-world installation, the industry risks being unable to cope with demand.

“We are busier than ever,” he added.

“People now see air conditioning as essential, just like double glazing or central heating.

“To help meet this demand, we need more classes in colleges and practical, real-world training to get young people into this sector.”

Robert agreed, and is calling for an industry-wide approach to solve the problem.

His firm supplies the nation’s air conditioning sector with enough copper tube to run 20 lengths of the UK every year, and he believes the need to train people up is more pressing than ever.

Robert said: “We’ve been involved with the industry for a very long time, and it’s now more important than ever to fill that skills gap to satisfy increasing demand.

“We need greater collaboration between manufacturers, colleges, and governing bodies, and we need to create awareness among school leavers about the incredible career options in the air conditioning sector.

“There’s a huge opportunity here for young people, but the industry must make it accessible.”

Dean added: “The demand is there, the technology is ready, and this is a clean, modern trade with global mobility. Now we just need the people.”