Star Refrigeration's Initiative to Inspire Future Engineers through BBC Bitesize Careers Tour

Inspiring Future Engineers: Star Refrigeration's Role in the BBC Bitesize Careers Tour

In a commendable effort to cultivate the next generation of engineers, Star Refrigeration has joined forces with the BBC Bitesize Careers Tour, a national initiative aimed at introducing students to various technical careers. The initiative emphasizes the value of apprenticeships and explores the vast opportunities available in engineering, particularly in refrigeration and heating technologies.

Design Engineer Sam Gills represented Star Refrigeration during the tour, engaging with secondary school students and sharing his career journey. He highlighted the significance of refrigeration in daily life and expounded on the diverse career paths within the engineering realm. Gills' commitment to promoting technical careers is evident, as he previously contributed to the Gatsby Charitable Foundation's campaign, 'Technicians We Make the Difference.' This experience underscored his belief in motivating young individuals to consider technical pathways.

Alongside Gills at the BBC-hosted panel were Kathryn Wilson, Matthew Carr from Middlesbrough FC Foundation, and Emilia Martinez-Barnfather, a journalism apprentice at the BBC. Together, they illustrated how technicians play pivotal roles in sectors like food production, healthcare, data centers, and sustainable energy solutions. Gills stressed, "Technician careers do not have limits; you can start hands-on, gain experience, and subsequently advance into managerial, design, engineering, or technical sales roles. The industry is rich with opportunities, especially as the demand for sustainable cooling and heating rises."

Sam Gills' participation builds on the legacy of Technical Sales Engineer Tom Woolston, who also embarked on his career as a refrigeration and heat pump apprentice at Star Refrigeration. Last year, Woolston inspired over 1,100 students through the same initiative, providing a real-life account of the possibilities that apprenticeships can offer.

Sam's career pathway not only exemplifies Star Refrigeration's commitment to talent development from within, but it is also a testament to the value of apprenticeships. Gills began his journey as an industrial refrigeration apprentice in the Newcastle branch and became a fully qualified engineer in 2019. His dedication to learning is evident as he is currently pursuing a part-time BEng in Building Services Engineering at Teesside University. His outstanding achievements have been recognized with prestigious accolades such as CIBSE Student of the Year North East, ACR Trainee of the Year (2017), a national bronze medal at SkillFridge (2018), and RAC Cooling Awards Student of the Year (2019).

Astrid Prado, Head of Marketing at Star Refrigeration, noted the growing demand for skilled industrial refrigeration and heat pump technicians in the UK. Many aspiring professionals, however, remain unaware of the available career paths. By participating in the BBC Bitesize Careers Tour, Sam Gills is proactively shifting these perceptions, demonstrating to students that a technician's career can be practical, rewarding, and filled with opportunities.

Star Refrigeration is committed to nurturing young talent, employing over 130 refrigeration and heating technicians across 11 branches in the UK. The company provides apprenticeships, fast-track training programs, and term-time internships designed to kickstart careers in engineering. Furthermore, Star collaborates with various organizations, including FemEng, the Women's Engineering Society, Little Stars, STEMazing, and World Refrigeration Day, to promote STEM careers to girls and underrepresented groups.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Star Refrigeration and the BBC Bitesize Careers Tour is a powerful initiative that not only showcases the importance of engineering but also demonstrates the limitless possibilities available to students willing to embark on technical careers. To learn more about Star Refrigeration's industrial cooling and heating engineering apprenticeships, interested individuals can visit their official site.