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Cammach Group fosters it's own refrigeration engineers
21/10/2009
Faced with a growing industry shortage of skilled refrigeration engineers, Aberdeen-based oil and gas services company Cammach Group is developing its own pool of talent in a rapidly growing area of its operations.
Robbie Hughes (22) is now a third-year refrigeration student at Tullos Training Limited, Aberdeen, after winning the title of best second-year refrigeration apprentice earlier this year, and he has now been joined by his colleague Ben Thomson (18) who has embarked on the same course.
The Cammach Group were delighted when Robbie, who came from Zimbabwe to Aberdeen and began work as a trainee in the group’s yard and workshop, moved to work offshore and asked to undertake a refrigeration apprenticeship.
Explains Robbie: “When I started working offshore I spent a lot of time helping the senior refrigeration engineer. The work was very varied, and as I already had some machine-shop training I was allowed to help and I really enjoyed the hands-on style of work.
“No two days are the same: I have had work assignments all over the world – last December I went to the Ivory Coast to repair an air conditioning unit within a laboratory module, and prior to that I was in Trinidad to install a chilled water system in a dive chamber on a lifeboat.
“The refrigeration industry is a continual learning curve and I am constantly involved with many different aspects of work. I am committed to the offshore industry and wish to increase my knowledge in the vast fields of refrigeration and air conditioning and it is also tremendous to undertake so much travelling in my chosen profession.”
Ben, a former pupil of Robert Gordon’s College, who plays with Aberdeenshire Rugby Club, initially trained as a CAD operator, but like Robbie, has decided his future lies in refrigeration.
TullosTraining Centre is a leading provider in North-east Scotland for apprentice training programmes to nationally agreed standards for a range of occupations within refrigeration and heating and ventilating industries.
The apprenticeships are based on individual achievement – not on a time-served basis, although to complete the programme and become fully trained, the apprenticeship takes approximately four years.
The training, carried out on block release at Tullos Training Centre and with the employer, leads to an SVQ Level 3 award.
Bill Barclay, managing director of Cammach Group, said: “The refrigeration and air conditioning industry definitely needs young blood, and through Robbie and Ben we are now rearing our own talent in a major growth area of the company. Once they complete their apprenticeships, we will be looking to put further young recruits through the refrigeration training scheme.”
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