RAC teaching team recognised at RMIT Awards

David King, Affil.AIRAH, and Joshua Seymour, Affil.AIRAH, were joint winners of the 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for VE Excellence – Team of the Year. The pair won the prestigious peer-nominated award in a strong field of contenders.

Both King and Seymour are members of the team that delivers RMIT’s Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. They were recognised in particular for their work on initiatives that strengthen industry and community links.

This includes fostering relationships with industry bodies such as AIRAH and companies with large refrigeration programs, including Woolworths Facility Management and Bitzer. These relationships have improved learning opportunities for students by ensuring they have access to the latest equipment for practical sessions, as well as offering networking opportunities to progress their career.

What it means

King says he and Seymour are humbled by receiving an award in such a strong and competitive field.

“Being recognised with a peer-nominated award is truly meaningful,” King says. “At a large dual-sector university like RMIT, having colleagues take time from their busy schedules to acknowledge the contribution our team makes to enhancing the student experience is something I deeply appreciate.

“It’s especially humbling when you see the incredible talent, passion, and professionalism of recipients across so many different disciplines.”

King believes public recognition through events like the RMIT Awards for Excellence is important for showcasing the value of trades education.

“The awards provide a platform to celebrate the work we do and, in doing so, help raise awareness of HVAC&R as a career pathway,” he says. “This visibility is crucial because it introduces the industry to many young people who might not otherwise have known about the opportunities available in this incredible field.”

An ever-evolving program

According to King, RMIT’s RAC program has continued to evolve in recent years.

“In the three years I’ve been involved, the RAC program at RMIT has evolved significantly, both in terms of measurable growth and beyond,” King says.

He identifies four major ways in which the program has grown:

• Strengthening collaboration with industry partners, ensuring students are connected to real-world opportunities
• Expanding recognition for students through awards programs such as Student and Apprentice of the Year
• Upgrading facilities to deliver cutting-edge trade education
• Deepening RMIT’s engagement with WorldSkills, including hosting global challenges that showcase excellence in the field.

Image courtesy of RMIT

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