Star Refrigeration - Industrial Refrigeration Engineering Apprenticeship (Reading)
STAR REFRIGERATION LIMITED
Reading (RG7 1PQ)
Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026
Posted on 22 January 2026
Contents
Summary
Apprentices will combine academic learning with on-site work-based learning from our experienced engineering teams. The apprenticeships last between 3 and 4 years and successful apprentices will be offered permanent employment as Refrigeration Engineers with progression opportunities through our engineer grading system.
- Wage
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£16,260 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary increases in 6 monthly increments throughout the apprenticeship, reaching £31,152 upon graduation. Industry leading benefits package.
- Training course
- Maintenance and operations engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 5.00pm and Friday, 8:30am - 4.00pm.
39 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 1 June 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
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1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
- Service, maintenance and installation of heavy-duty heating and cooling systems and components
- Health and Safety and environmental legislation and working practices
- Fault diagnosis and rectification through root cause analysis
- Safe handling of refrigerants (including ammonia and CO2)
- Electrical systems
- Communication and customer care
Where you'll work
Unit G
Lambs Farm Business Park, Basingstoke Road, Swallowfield
Reading
RG7 1PQ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Training course
Maintenance and operations engineering technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with industry health, safety and environmental working practices and regulations.
- Locate, and rectify faults on plant and equipment.
- Communicate with and provide information to stakeholders in line with personal role and responsibilities.
- Read, understand and interpret information and work in compliance with technical specifications and supporting documentation.
- Prepare work areas to undertake work related activities and reinstate those areas after the completion of the work related activities.
- Inspect and maintain appropriate plant and equipment to meet operational requirements.
- Assess and test the performance and condition of plant and equipment.
- Communicate, handover and confirm that the appropriate engineering process has been completed to specification.
- Position, assemble, install and dismantle electrical plant and equipment, which may include motors, switchgear, cables and conductors, to agreed specifications.
- Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on electrical plant and equipment.
- Replace, repair or remove components in electrical plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Position, assemble, install and dismantle mechanical plant and equipment which may include pumps, valves, gearboxes, pipework, to agreed specifications,
- Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on mechanical plant and equipment.
- Replace, repair or remove components in mechanical plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Position, assemble, install and dismantle plant and equipment which may include instrumentation and control of temperature, pressure and flow systems to agreed specifications.
- Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on plant and equipment.
- Replace, repair or remove components in plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Calibrate and configure instrument and control systems.
- Install, assemble and dismantle wind turbine plant and equipment, which will include pitch systems, yaw systems, switchgear, control systems to agreed specifications.
- Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on wind turbine plant and equipment including mechanical drive systems.
- Replace, repair or remove components in wind turbine plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Position, assemble, install and dismantle integrated electrical apparatus, systems and process control equipment.
- Carry out planned, unplanned and preventative maintenance procedures on integrated plant and equipment.
- Replace, repair and/or remove components within integrated plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Calibrate and configure integrated electrical apparatus, systems and process control equipment.
- Position, assemble, install and dismantle integrated electromechanical power and control systems.
- Replace, repair or remove components within integrated plant and equipment and ensure its return to operational condition.
- Safely and efficiently carry out routine and non-routine operating procedures on plant and equipment.
- Monitor and control the operation and performance of the plant and equipment.
- Handover and accept responsibility for plant and equipment.
- Evaluate and solve complex problems within energy conversion plant and systems.
- Rapidly and correctly respond to contingencies and abnormal conditions, to maintain energy conversion and production plant and equipment within operational parameters.
Training schedule
Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Level 3.
You'll be assigned a personal mentor and start by shadowing our experienced engineers on site, gaining hands-on experience and expanding your skill set from day one. Our training team will keep in touch with regular catchups to support your development. You'll study in day or block release periods at college alongside apprentices from other companies and industries.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4-9)
- Maths (grade 4-9)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
We're looking for responsible candidates keen to join an inclusive workplace. You don't need prior experience in engineering (that's where we come in) but you must show a commitment to learning the skills that will make you successful in the role.
About this employer
Star Refrigeration is the UK’s largest independent industrial refrigeration engineering company, founded in 1970, working with customers from design to commissioning and maintenance, supported by a nationwide branch structure. The company is comprised of six business units and currently has around 400 employees throughout the group. We are an Investors in People Platinum and Investors in Young People Gold accredited employer and recognise the important role our employees play in our success which is why they are at the heart of everything we do. We aim to support and encourage our employees to pursue their interests and provide development opportunities to ensure they have rewarding and fulfilling careers.
https://www.star-ref.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
35 days annual leave (incl. bank holidays), an 8% non-contributory pension, and biannual RPI salary reviews. We offer private medical insurance, life assurance (6x salary), professional development, share ownership scheme, and a company bonus.
After this apprenticeship
After completing your apprenticeship, you can continue to progress through Star's engineer development pathway with salary increases along the way. Some of our engineers have gone on to become service and maintenance managers, regional managers or even directors. You will also have transferable engineering skills that can be valuable to other departments, such as sales or design, should you wish to try something different. A number of our engineers have also gone on to study at degree level. The possibilities are endless!
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BASINGSTOKE COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010240.
Apply now
Closes on Tuesday 31 March 2026