"No two days are the same..."

Eighteen year-old Martin Davey is an apprentice working towards an NVQ level 3 in Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. He tells us why he’s glad he opted for a career in the building services engineering sector.

Q Why did you choose this sector for a career?

A I’m really following in my dad’s footsteps!  When I was younger I used to go out with him occasionally and always found his work interesting. Lots of my friends are training to be either plumbers or electricians. Refrigeration is a bit different – and it’s an area where you need a whole range of different skills, so there’s plenty of variety.

Q How did your apprenticeship come about?

A While I was at school I did a work experience placement with Chilltec Refrigeration and really enjoyed it.  They told me there would be a job with training when I left school if I was interested – which of course I was.  I now spend one day a week at South Eastern Regional College and four days on-site.  When I’ve completed my NVQ I’d like to study for an HND which would open the door to a more responsible job as a site foreman, for example.

Q Can you describe a typical working day?

A At the moment I’m working on a job to install air conditioning in a big shopping centre in Dublin. I’m one of a team of three, working alongside two fully qualified engineers.  Soon we’ll be starting on the wiring – refrigeration involves lots of electrical skills. This is one of the things I love about the job – the variety and the fact that no two days are the same. And when I’m out on-site I feel as I’m learning all the time.

Q How do you see your career developing in the future?

A I’d love to spend some time working abroad. There’s huge demand for refrigeration engineers, both in this country and overseas.  But first I’m keen to get as many qualifications as I can so that I can take my career as far as it will go.

Q Would you recommend a career in the building services engineering sector to other young people?

A Without a doubt!  Refrigeration is a brilliant trade –full of variety and with lots
of opportunities, and all the other industries in the sector are the same as well.

Q  And finally…. what  does a good day at work mean to you?

A It means going home knowing that I’ve done a really good job – and that I’ve
had a good laugh with my colleagues in the process.