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''From the very beginning Star have been so supportive, from having dedicated study days to internal support & guidance from colleagues.''

''100% go for it! I believe the workplace (and the world) thrives on diversity so don’t let anything hold you back.''

Eleanor Ford, Maintenance Manager

After finishing her A-Levels, Eleanor applied for a level 2 apprenticeship in Business and Administration at Star Refrigeration. After completing her apprenticeship she was offered a full time role and has progressed through the business, working as a Service Controller and progressing to Maintenance Manager at Star's Manchester Branch.

''An entry level apprenticeship position will form the foundation of a lifelong successful career in any form of engineering whether that be industrial refrigeration or plumbing.''

''I have been fortunate enough to attend the IOR awards ceremony after becoming a finalist for the Apprentice of the Year Award, which proves the quality of the training we received at Star.''

Kelvin Clamp, Refrigeration Engineering Apprentice

After 6th form, Kelvin decided he wanted to do something 'hands on' as he always enjoyed learning how things work and decided to apply for a refrigeration engineering apprenticeship at Star. A large part of the work he does is preventative maintenance, which usually consists of frequent performance checks to ensure systems are running at their design efficiency. Kelvin was recently a finalist at the IOR Apprentice of the Year Awards and hopes to progress through the engineering grading system after completing the apprenticeship.

''Big multinational companies in diverse industries such as petrochemical, cold chain and pharma put their trust on me daily.''

''A personal career highlight was being involved in the installation and commissioning of one of Europe’s largest cold stores. My hard work was recognised and I was invited to the industry's national ACR awards ceremony where we won the ‘Project of the Year’ award presented by Jeff Stelling.''

Milo Tolley, Refrigeration Engineer

Milo originally undertook an apprenticeship at a competitor but switched to Star so I could progress my career with Star's trainee scheme. As a fast track engineer, Milo was able to combine a 4 year apprenticeship into just 18 months. A personal career highlight was being involved in the installation and commissioning of one of Europe’s largest cold stores. After completing his apprenticeship he can go on to Star’s 5 level Engineering grading program to improve his competence, take the managerial route or further his education with a university degree while working as an engineer.

''He told me of all of the benefits Star offered with employment and after hearing these amazing benefits I couldn’t turn it down.''

''The trust the management showed continued throughout my apprenticeship and even to this day, I have been a fully qualified engineer for almost 5 years now and I would say that has definitely helped my career progression. Overall Star has a great apprenticeship program and this produces engineers at the top of the trade.''

Keir Dickson, Refrigeration Engineer

After the factory he was working for closed down and he had to leave his previous Apprenticeship, Keir joined Star as a second year Industrial Refrigeration Engineering Apprentice, attracted by the benefits that Star offers to its employees. 5 years on from completing his apprenticeship, he works as an ST2 engineer and hopes to progress to an ST3 engineer by the end of the year. In the future, Keir has ambitions to enter a supervisor or manager role.

''Having both academic and hands on learning has been the perfect route for me and has provided a great foundation to build my future career.''

''I have had a great experience as an apprentice at Star so far, everyone has been extremely helpful and given me assistance. I have progressed very quickly and been given responsibility over full contract models and drawings which has made me feel like an integral part of the star design team.''

Cameron Coleman, Apprentice Draughtsperson

After completing his Higher exams, Cammy joined an apprentice training centre which introduced him to Star and he began a draughtsman apprenticeship. Through working, learning and training he produces and develops 3D models and 2D drawings from refrigeration packages, site layouts and large site pipework models. His advice to other young people is to do something you will enjoy investing the time and work into, and find a company who is also willing to put the time and effort into progressing you to your full potential.

''Being awarded third place at the IOR Scotland Apprentice of the Year Awards in 2018 after being nominated by my line manager was a huge highlight for me.''

''I was attracted to Star because they work with a lot of big customers such as Asda and Tesco with big sites which I was really interested in. Star are always looking to improve and expand into different areas of refrigeration and heat pumps where others have not been before.''

Gavin Kidd, Refrigeration Engineer

Gavin began an apprenticeship at Star’s Bellshill branch in May 2016 and now works full time as a fully qualified refrigeration engineer. Through his apprenticeship he gained multiple qualifications including an NC and an SCQF Level 5 in Electrical Engineering but his highlight was winning third place at IOR Scotland Apprentice Of The Year awards. He now hopes to undertake an engineering management course and progress to a more senior role within Star.

''I think the main thing that stands out to me is that everybody in Star Refrigeration is very caring and really does work together as a team''

''Star combine academic learning with on-site work-based training supported by their experienced engineering teams. This was an ideal set-up for me, as both the academic qualification route offered, together with support from experienced mentors at Star, have formed the building blocks of my chosen career.''

Charlie Porter, Refrigeration Engineering Apprentice

Charlie applied for an apprenticeship with Star's Bristol branch shortly after completing his GCSE's. He works on multiple different sites, learning from experienced engineers whilst completing a full time college course in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. His future ambition upon completing his apprenticeship is to progress to a management role within Star Refrigeration.

"With the right attitude and this understanding of what you are working on, anything is possible."

"I really enjoy the amount of exposure to different challenges and customers sites I receive on a daily basis."

Lylle Perks, Refrigeration Engineer

Star Refrigeration’s Lyell Perks was crowned National Student of the Year at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards 2014. Lyell began his journey with Star at the Oxford branch in 2011 and became a fully qualified engineer in the summer of 2015 after completing his apprenticeship. Here are Lyell’s thoughts on apprenticeships, becoming Student of the Year, working with Star, and what’s in store for his future in the industry.

"I have received practical, hands-on training and theoretical training at a college. The practical aspect of it involved shadowing the most experienced refrigeration engineers in the company to whom I will always be grateful for their continuous support and encouragement."

Paul Newton, Service Manager

After breaking his ankle during the first week of his training in the army, Paul Newton joined Star Refrigeration’s Operations Group as an industrial refrigeration apprentice engineer. His story illustrates the way careers are sometimes forged through unexpected circumstances. Paul’s first career choice was not an apprenticeship, but turned out to be the right one! Paul has since progressed to his current role of Service Manager for Star Refrigeration’s Derby branch.

"There are great opportunities for development and career growth”

"I really enjoyed the practical, hands on aspect of the apprenticeship and I gained lots of onsite experience from seasoned engineers who were happy to share their knowledge and offer encouragement."

Dean Thompson, Service Manager

Dean Thomson started his apprenticeship as an industrial refrigeration engineer at 16 after completing his GCSEs at secondary school. He now serves as a Service Manager for Star Refrigeration Operations Group in Derby.

"In particular, I was attracted to Star because of their high industry standards and their year on year success with apprentices.”

“I started my apprenticeship with Star and almost immediately an individual training plan was set up for me...I also had monthly meetings with my mentor and quarterly meetings with the training manager to measure progress and assess key areas for development.”

Tom Woolston, Design Engineer

Now a fully qualified design engineer at Star Refrigeration’s maintenance and service branch in Bristol, Tom Woolston started his career as an apprentice. Tom received the silver prize at the RAC Cooling Industry Awards 2018 and was crowned ACR Trainee of the Year 2018.

"Refrigeration shapes the world we live in - from the internet, computers and ice cream to medicines and beer!”

"I have been working for Star since 2007 and I have most enjoyed working for a company that is fully supportive of your development, both as an individual and also in developing specialist skills to be applied within the Industry. I have enjoyed working as part of a team and consider myself lucky to be surrounded by kind, supportive people."

Chris Druce, Service Manager

Chris Druce is Star Refrigeration’s Oxford branch Service Manager. He shares his journey from apprentice to engineer since joining Star nine years ago. Starting off as an apprentice, Chris worked his way up through the company at Oxford branch as an engineer and has since moved to the Service Manager role.

"I enjoy the sense of pride at being a part of a great engineering team."

Gary McVittie, Technical Manager

Gary McVittie FInstR has been an integral part of the Star Refrigeration family since he commenced his journey as an Apprentice Refrigeration Engineer back in 2000. While working as a Refrigeration Engineer, he completed a BEng (Hons) in Building Services Engineering, transitioning from Service Engineer to Design Engineer before progressing to Technical Manager in 2010, Product Manager in 2022 and consultancy services in 2023.

“I like the fact that at Star, people matter– they make a difference and are well looked after.”

"My role as a consultant engineer has allowed me to travel the world…Since joining Star Technical Solutions I have had the privilege of working in Barbados, Mauritius, Kenya and the USA."

Pat Stacey, Consultant Engineer STS

Pat Stacey has spent his working career in industrial refrigeration, joining Star Refrigeration in 1984. Starting as an apprentice, Pat went onto win the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ Award from Basford Hall College.

"Star Refrigeration were very focused on developing my skills and education.”

“My biggest career highlight was when I graduated with my BA in Business. I’ve done this while still doing my weekly hours at work, it was hard but a great accomplishment!”

Niamh Connelly, Assistant Management Accountant

Niamh Connelly is an Assistant Management Accountant at Star Refrigeration’s head office in Glasgow. Niamh joined Star after leaving school when she was sixteen years old. She went on to successfully complete a Modern Apprenticeship in Business and Administration and a BA in Business. She admits “I never thought that I would have gone to University”.

"Every day is different- new sites, new issues and new plants…you never stop learning.”

“Moving to the service side of the business has also helped me develop personally. I was very quiet and lacked self-confidence…I have now become a much more confident and self-assured person”

Brian Greig, Service Supervisor

After finishing his apprenticeship in mechanical fitting and welding at Star's manufacturing facility in Glasgow, Brian Greig decided to retrain as an industrial refrigeration engineer. He then transferred to the service and maintenance side of the business. As an operations engineer, Brian now services some of the systems he helped build. His extensive knowledge of refrigeration systems allows him to foresee any potential issues and solve them before they cause downtime. Brian has since progressed to the role of Service Supervisor.

"You can obtain a qualification while getting paid to learn.”

“Overall, my apprenticeship with Star has probably been one of the best decisions I ever made. The team of engineers I work with at the London branch are nothing but helpful. Star senior engineers are incredibly knowledgeable and always answer the many questions I ask.”

Luke Edgell, Refrigeration Engineer

Luke Edgell completed a 3 year Industrial Refrigeration apprenticeship at Star Refrigeration’s Service and Maintenance branch in London and is now a fully qualified industrial refrigeration engineer. Luke joined Star just two days after his sixteenth birthday and has never looked back. Read more about his inspiring story.

“Industrial refrigeration is a great trade to be involved in.”

“Star is a great place to train and work…. I am so grateful to my mentors and colleagues at Star who have dedicated so much time and effort to my training and development and have given me complete support throughout my apprenticeship.”

Sam Gills, Refrigeration Engineer

Sam Gills is a design engineer which he was supported by Star to progress into after completing his apprenticeship with Star Refrigeration Operations Group in Newcastle. He was named ACR Trainee of the Year 2017 and then went on to compete in the national finals of Skill Fridge at the NEC in Birmingham in 2018 where he won the bronze medal. More recently he has been awarded Student of the Year 2019 at the RAC Cooling Awards

"I was impressed by the focus on my development.”

“I also like the idea of working for a company with a reputation for innovation and sustainability. Star is a family business renowned for their employee centred values and the benefits you receive from Star, from the start, are pretty good too!”

Harley Wilkie, Group Business Systems Analyst

Harley Wilkie left school in 2009 and joined Star Refrigeration three months later. Having gone through different development opportunities and through different roles within the company, Harley is now committed to the successful upgrade of the company’s business management software system as a Group Business Systems Manager.

"Career highlights - The people I’ve worked with and the people whom I have learnt from. And of course the friends I’ve made at Star."

Gary Cleary, Head of Projects

Gary Cleary has been with Star for 16 years. Starting off as an apprentice, Gary worked his way up through the company in various Production roles, and is now facing very different challenges as one of the Star Refrigeration Project Management Team.

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