Fast-Track into Industrial Refrigeration
Become an Industrial Refrigeration Engineer in 12 months with Star's fast-track training programme. Open to ex-millitary and mechanical, electrical, aeronautical and commercial refrigeration/air conditioning engineers, our programme is offered across the UK.
Star Refrigeration are a market leader in sustainable industrial refrigeration & heating technology, having introduced numerous industry-first innovations. Since 1970, the company has expanded into a diversified group of businesses offering maintenance, consultancy, mechanical & electrical, freezing and chilling and data monitoring services across a wide range of industries.
Star’s award-winning team of engineers are widely recognised throughout the industry for their expertise and consulted by the world’s most reputable industry organisations, including UNEP’s Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Technical Committee and The British Standards Institute.
15 years is the average period of employment for Star staff as we aim to retain the best in the business
95% of our fast-track trainees successfully complete their 12 month training
25% of our current management team joined the company as a fast-track trainee or apprentice
A lifelong and rewarding career
Star’s Fast-Track Training Programme is a 12-month work-based engineering training programme for ex-forces and experienced engineers in the mechanical, electrical, aeronautical and commercial HVACR fields.
Fast-track engineers work full time whilst studying industrial refrigeration fundamentals and engineering best practices alongside qualified refrigeration engineers, an engineering mentor and a dedicated training team.
From day one, engineers will be given a specialised development plan, tasks and projects that will support progression towards graduation over 12 months.
Net Zero is becoming a priority and cooling and heating have a major role to play. As part of the Star engineering team, you will significantly impact the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting the cold storage, food and drinks manufacturing, pharmaceutical, petrochemical and leisure sectors’ transition towards a sustainable future.
Fast-track entry routes
Ex-Forces
Many of our fast-track engineers have been able to build on the engineering skills gained during their career in the armed forces – the skills and knowledge environment are highly transferrable to the industrial refrigeration industry.
Engineering Experience
Experience in a mechanical, electrical, aeronautical or HVAC engineering role, with related NVQ3/BTEC qualification – our fast-track training will build on these skills and provide experience of large industrial sites.
Fast-Track Progression Path into Industrial Refrigeration Engineering
Welcome to Star
Month 1
Salary: £31,500 pa
1
You'll get to know your new colleagues at your regional base before joining other new starters for an induction where you'll meet key contacts in the company and get the full lowdown on Star.
First Steps
Expand your skills
2
You’ll be paired with a personal mentor and shadow our experienced engineers on the job. This will provide you with valuable experience and allow you to quickly expand your skills. Our training team will be in regular contact to offer support and guidance.
Getting There
Learn on the job
3
You’ll quickly take an active role on site, facing new challenges and working on multimillion pound cooling/heating systems. You may perform planned maintenance tasks, assist with intricate overhaul projects, or assist in the response to emergency callouts.
Training Plan Assessments
In-house evaluation
4
Through this period, training and assessment will be conducted on our internal units. You’ll charge/decant refrigerant, carry out compressor inspections, oil changes, complete electrical fault finding and undertake a pipework and component replacement project.
Graduation
Month 12
Salary: £35,000 pa
5
Congratulations! Graduate as a qualified industrial refrigeration engineer and join our award-wining team of industrial refrigeration service and maintenance engineers across the country.
Ongoing Development
- Join Star’s 5-level Engineering Grading Scheme
- Managerial progression
- Further education
6
Industry leading salary and progression opportunities
The fast-track programme has a competitive salary, you’ll start at £31,500 which will increase to £35,000 upon graduation. You’ll then continue to receive pay rises as you progress through engineer grades, all the while receiving Star’s generous company benefits, equal to +25% over base salary.
What will I learn?
- Service, maintenance and installation of heavy-duty heating and cooling systems and components.
- Health and Safety and environmental legislation and working practices.
- Fault diagnosis and rectification through root cause analysis.
- Safe handling of refrigerants (including ammonia and CO2)
- Electrical systems
- Communication and customer care.
Alongside your qualification, you will gain certifications including CCNSG Safety Passport, Essential Electrics, Industrial Pipework & Brazing, Refrigerant Handling C&G 2078. All of these and numerous other industry recognised qualifications to support your development and competence.
Hear from our team
Listen to testimonials from current and graduate fast-track engineers. Get the best start to your professional engineering career with Star and build your experience while you earn at one of the premier industrial contractors in the UK. Get in touch with us today to register your interest and begin your fast-track journey.
Our fast-track stories
Read more about our fast-track employees and their individual journeys.
Refrigeration Facts & Contribution to Sustainability
Sustainability is a key focus for the industry in the coming years, as carbon footprints need to be reduced further to reduce the impact of climate change. This makes it a viable and interesting career path for people interested in saving the planet through innovation.
You will work in an industry which has the potential to make the world a better place and underpins many of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Wellbeing, Affordable and Clean Energy and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Find out more about Star company values, culture and ethos
We are in business to secure a better future by using the best people, systems and technology to deliver quality temperature solutions.
Our core company values
Roll over each panel to reveal the descriptions
Safe & Legal
We maintain a culture of competence and integrity through our continued commitment to safe and legal practices.
Better For Customer
We work in a partnership with customers, always looking for innovative solutions to improve their business operations.
Develop Young People
We offer young people the opportunity to learn and develop, equipping us to thrive in an environment of fast paced change.
Sensible Margin Focus
We ensure a sustainable future for the benefit of all stakeholders over the long term.
No Surprises
We recognise that open, clear, effective communication is the key to our success.
Application process
We would like to hear about you and why this is the right path for you, please send your CV and covering letter to:
recruitment@star-ref.co.uk
Once you’ve submitted your CV and covering email, we’ll review and ensure you meet the essential criteria for your chosen role. We’ll usually be in touch within two weeks of your initial application.
If successful you will be invited to attend either a face-to-face or video interview, which will involve some formal assessment of your skills and competencies. We will discuss your CV and work history, skills and qualifications, the role and company values.
We will be in touch, usually within a week of your final interview, to let you know if you have been successful. We’ll make a verbal offer subject to some pre-employment checks then we can agree a start date and send you a formal offer.