ICS looks to local youth

UK: Hampshire-based ICS Cool Energy has launched a new training programme for young adults in the local community.

The scheme offers work experience schemes and apprenticeships to suit those looking for alternative routes to university. Its most recent additions include Chris Williamson and Sam Parsons.

Chris Williamson has recently started as a trainee technical sales engineer and will work across all areas of the business during a three year programme. He says, “The unique training scheme is what really made working for ICS Cool Energy so appealing to me as an alternative to university. I get the chance to work my way around all aspects of the company, seeing it from all angles. By the end of my training I will not only be a qualified sales engineer but will also have a full grasp of what happens behind the scenes in a successful business.”

Sam Parsons has recently joined ICS Cool Energy as an apprentice in the service section of the business, working towards becoming a fully qualified service technician. Sam will gain experience by working on the broad range of ICS Cool Energy’s products, across diverse Industries, alongside a range of hvac equipment.

“We have been employing work experience students since 2011 and have around six new recruits join us every year from local schools and colleges in the area,” explained Liisa Lehtio, learning and development officer at ICS Cool Energy. “This year, we have expanded our scheme offering students a chance to get to know all areas of the business through a more in-depth course.”

ICS Cool Energy sees bright futures for all of its candidates. Earlier this year, George Walker, working from ICS Cool Energy’s Yorkshire-based offices, was recognised as BEST’s Apprentice of the Year for the region with a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 2 Award.

“We are extremely proud of all our trainees,” said ICS director Mike Jones. “Michael Howie graduated this year and follows in his father`s footsteps working from our Glasgow office and George Walker had an excellent end to his apprenticeship with his award. Their training will not stop there; our technical managers, Brent Hall, Malcolm Edwards and Anthony Wenger have developed over twenty training modules that form the backbone of our continuous training and development programme. Individual modules cover topics such as thermodynamics, applications and heat pump technology amongst other, product related, subjects. Now in its third year, ICS Cool Energy see this as a key support function, that will continue to expand.”