Careers

"Star has supported my learning by providing me with access to online resources, a mentor to guide me, and colleagues who are always happy to help if I’m unsure about anything."

Zoe Revis, Apprentice Refrigeration Engineer

Zoe began her apprenticeship with Star Refrigeration after hearing about the company’s reputation from family members who worked at sites serviced by Star. Drawn to the unique challenges of the industry, Zoe is building her skills through a combination of college studies, office-based training, and on-site shadowing with experienced engineers. With access to online learning resources, mentorship, and a supportive team, she has found the apprenticeship to be both rewarding and engaging. Zoe values the bespoke nature of refrigeration systems and enjoys the constant opportunities to expand her knowledge as she works toward becoming a qualified engineer.

What inspired you to pursue an apprenticeship in industrial refrigeration engineering?

It was something I didn’t know much about but it seemed interesting and Star had been recommended to me as a good company to work for.

How did you learn about Star Refrigeration’s apprenticeship program?

I learnt about it from some family members who work at sites that star provide services for.

What does a typical day look like for you during your apprenticeship?

At the moment I am mostly either studying at college or in the office learning new information towards my apprenticeship. The days that I am on site consist of me shadowing experienced engineers who help me understand the systems and what work I will be doing further down the line.

How has Star Refrigeration supported your learning and development during your apprenticeship?

Star have supported my learning and development by providing me with access to online resources like SLS courses as well as providing me with a mentor to guide me through my apprenticeship. I am always given sufficient time to allow me to stay up to date with college work as well as business edge learning and am surrounded by colleagues who are happy to help if I am unsure on anything.

Are there any specific projects you’ve worked on that have been particularly exciting or rewarding?

At the moment there is still a lot for me to learn so each project I work on is a learning opportunity and I see rewards in my knowledge improving.

What kind of mentorship or guidance have you received from more experienced engineers at Star?

I have been allocated a mentor who is very helpful in aiding my learning as he regularly checks in on my progress and sets me tasks to widen my knowledge.

 How do you balance hands-on work with the academic learning aspects of your apprenticeship?

At the minute the academic learning predominantly takes over my work week as I spend 3 days at college. I am given a study day usually once a week to allow me time to complete work set from Star’s training team and spend the remaining day on site. However during term holidays the work week consists of me being on site 4 times a week so I make up for the lack of site exposure while at college.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about refrigeration that you never knew before starting?

Before starting I had very little knowledge about refrigeration systems so was unaware that each system is bespoke to each site so no two sites are the same.

What advice would you give to anyone, especially women, who are considering an apprenticeship in the refrigeration and heat pump industry?

If it’s something that interests you then go for it, there is lots of support at star to aid with your learning so don’t feel overwhelmed, everyone is welcoming and wants to see you do your best.

Zoe Revis, Apprentice Refrigeration Engineer