2024 | Trade – Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Hi, my name is Justin Mann. I’m a 2024 Global Footprints Trade Scholar specialising in air conditioning and refrigeration.
Leading up to my 2024 scholarship application, I had the opportunity to work across Toowoomba, Brisbane and the surrounding areas while completing a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. This is where I started building my skills around innovation and the future of the trade industry.
During my time off, I spent a month holidaying in Japan, where I also attended the 43rd HVAC&R Japan Expo. This event kicked off my interest in what refrigeration looks like globally.
Upon being awarded a Global Footprints Scholarship, it didn’t take long before I was in touch with Satoru Komoto, Manager of Production Engineering for Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning in Shizuoka, Japan.
My time with Hitachi in Japan was just the beginning of developing my understanding of the manufacturing and design principles used to develop air conditioning systems. This was also the beginning of building my social network in the refrigeration industry.
I got to spend time with some of the leading manufacturing and design engineers and quiz them on some of their techniques and processes. Exploring these practices and processing technologies enlightened me about the sustainable practices being undertaken in other parts of the world.
The location of the Hitachi manufacturing facility provided the most spectacular views of Mount Fuji, seen right from the offices of the leading engineers.
Hitachi provided a very team-driven, intimate week of tight-knit discussions that taught me the importance of teamwork and trust within the workplace.
Having broken my trip into two portions, I was fortunate enough to later visit Europe during the summer of 2025.
First on the list was Germany, where I spent time with BITZER, an industry leader in the engineering and manufacturing of refrigeration components.
BITZER personalised a week-long tour for me to attend its Industrial Refrigeration Network Conference, as well as observe its screw compressor, ammonia package and heat exchanger manufacturing plants.
This experience was extremely valuable, as it really opened my eyes to the world of mechanical engineering. The Schaufler Academy training resources were incredibly detailed and supported my fundamental knowledge of refrigeration.
The team at BITZER was super accommodating, providing amazing demonstrations, presentations and great food. The professional and social connections I gained from this experience are ones I’ll forever enjoy circling back to.
To finish my host experiences, I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks with Chilled Systems Solutions, based in Coventry, England.
I worked alongside a leading technician from its chiller maintenance team in Manchester. This one-on-one time was spent completing preventative maintenance on large commercial systems.
These skills are imperative to helping me ensure the sustainable use and performance of air conditioning equipment back here in Australia.
To conclude, the Global Footprints Scholarship has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet people who share the same values and skills that I do, all while developing my own personal and social skills.
It was an amazing experience to travel, meet people and learn new and sustainable ways to protect the Earth.
The Sustainable Development Goals related to my experience were number three, good health and wellbeing; number eight, decent work and economic growth; and number nine, industry, innovation and infrastructure.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the Global Footprints team, the Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning team, the BITZER and Schaufler Academy teams and Chilled Systems Solutions for all playing imperative parts in a life-changing trip.
Justin’s scholarship relates to these UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs):
