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Young Skilled HVAC Technician to Compete in Refrigeration

and Air Conditioning at WorldSkills Competition

Leesburg, Va. — Krzysztof (Chris) Zamajtys of Bohemia, N.Y., will represent the United States in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning during the biennial WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Zamajtys will compete as a member of the SkillsUSA WorldTeam. The 44th international event will be held Oct. 14-19.

Zamajtys won the right to compete by earning the silver medal in 2015 in the high-school Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration competition during the SkillsUSA Championships. He has also successfully completed other qualifying prerequisites prior to being chosen for the team.

“It is a true honor to represent the United States in the WorldSkills Competition. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am looking forward to being able to showcase my skills to people from all around the world,” said Zamajtys. “I’m also looking forward to learning how other countries handle refrigeration and air conditioning — and learning how they keep the massive buildings cool in the desert in Dubai.”

While in high school at Eastern Suffolk Boces, Zamajtys took heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) classes under instructor Nick DeBlanco. When asked about Zamajtys’ abilities, DeBlanco said, “From the day I met Chris, I noticed he had a very intense work ethic. Chris studied for two years in the HVAC program and excelled at every level. Chris and I work together in the field often, and it is truly a treat. I have come to learn just how reliable and talented he really is. With Chris’ talent and ambition, I truly feel he is on his way to great things.”

In the WorldSkills Refrigeration and Air Conditioning contest, working under time constraints, competitors must be able to diagnose malfunctions and repair or replace refrigeration parts. Judges are also marking competitors on their knowledge of electrical wiring as well as component and system installation. Extra marks are awarded to those who can demonstrate safe working practices.

In this skilled trade, the most talented engineers are likely to lead the industry in innovating and resolving issues relating to climate and environment. Affecting development and well-being, including health, engineers have immense potential to make a positive impact on communities and economies locally and globally.

Every two years, hundreds of young people from more than 77 countries and regions compete in the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. Member countries include Japan, England, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Argentina and many others. To see a list of member countries and regions, go to: www.worldskills.org/about/members/.

There are 11 members on the SkillsUSA WorldTeam. Other occupational areas in which the United States plans to compete include Automobile Technology, Bakery, Bricklaying, Hairdressing Mechatronics (two-person team), Plumbing and Heating, Print Media Technology, Web Design and Development, and Welding.

In 2017, more than 1,300 competitors will test their skills in Abu Dhabi. Considered “the best of the best,” contestants compete for four days in 51 occupational skill areas from economic sectors including manufacturing and engineering technology, information and communication technology, construction and building technology, transportation and logistics, creative arts and fashion, and social and personal services. Accompanied by their teachers, trainers and industry technical committee experts, these young people compete before the public in contests that are run and judged by industry using demanding international standards. The competition brings together young people from around the world in their chosen professions. They represent the best students selected in local and national skills competitions for professional education.

Five thousand international experts, delegates and judges will gather from around the world, and 3,000 volunteers will be recruited to assist in the competition. A total of 100,000 student and public spectators will attend the competition at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). For more information about the competition, go to: https://worldskillsabudhabi2017.com/en/.

Unlike other national teams in the WorldSkills Competition, the SkillsUSA WorldTeam is funded solely through private donations.To donate funding or in-kind support, go to: www.skillsusa.org/competitions/worldskills/donate-to-worldteam/.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a vital solution to the growing U.S. skills gap. This nonprofit partnership of students, instructors and industry ensures America has the skilled workforce it needs to stay competitive. Founded in 1965 and endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education, the association serves more than 300,000 member students and instructors each year in middle schools, high schools and colleges. This diverse talent pipeline covers 130 trade, technical and skilled service occupations, the majority STEM-related. More than 600 corporations, trade associations, businesses and labor unions actively support SkillsUSA at the national level. SkillsUSA programs are integrated into career and technical education through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics. Local, state and national championships, designed and judged by industry, set relevant standards for career and technical education and provide needed recognition to its students. SkillsUSA also offers technical skill assessments and other workplace credentials. For more information, go to: www.SkillsUSA.org.

About WorldSkills

Over its 65-year history, WorldSkills International has come to symbolize the pinnacle of excellence in vocational training. It provides a unique means of exchange and comparison of world-class competency standards in the industrial trades and service sectors of the global economy. The continued growth of WorldSkills International attests to the fact that traditional trade and craft skills, along with newer technology’s multi-skilled occupations, make an essential contribution to the economic and social well-being of people everywhere. For more information, go to: www.WorldSkills.org.

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