"It was midnight when my phone rang. A Viaduct restaurant's walk-in cooler had failed," recalls Alex, a recently qualified refrigeration engineer at White Refrigeration. "Working alone, I diagnosed and repaired the system within three hours. I remember the chef was very happy. And from then at that point onwards, he remembered my name."
Behind every functioning coolroom and comfortable office is someone like Alex – whose journey from apprentice to skilled professional represents the quality of service that protects your business when systems fail.
As he neared the end of Year 13, Alex found himself questioning the conventional university path. With strengths in mathematics and science, he had the academic foundations for higher education, but the prospect of "sitting in a classroom for the next four years" left him cold.
Instead, he explored various trades, including building and plumbing, before a friend's connection to the refrigeration industry sparked his interest – a decision that would eventually place him on the front lines of business-critical emergency repairs.
"I was studying Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Then on the Thursday and Friday, I was working at White's as a labourer, so I could pick a few things up from my studying and then see how they were done by the team," he explains. This blend of theory and practice formed the foundation of his expertise.
That midnight call to the Viaduct restaurant represents what makes refrigeration engineers like Alex so valuable to businesses. With thousands of dollars of inventory at risk and the next day's service in jeopardy, his ability to diagnose and solve complex problems under pressure made all the difference.
What most people don't see is the combination of technical knowledge and practical problem-solving that goes into these emergency repairs. "Being able to talk to clients when things do go wrong, and then explaining things to them calmly and clearly, so that you're not making them panic too much," is just as important as the technical fix, Alex notes.
Organisation, communication and work ethic form the soft skills essential for success in this type of work, and that’s why White’s make sure they have the right people with the right sort of skills in place. ‘It’s not just turn up, do the job, go home’, as Alex found out, when he was working at Auckland's Pinesong Retirement Village. Working alongside plasterers, builders, plumbers and other electricians, he discovered the importance of organisation and time management. They all had to complete their work, sometimes before he could start his part of the job, which meant he had to collaborate with them, be organised and sometimes roster himself onto other jobs elsewhere. “Otherwise, I couldn’t have got the job done at all," he says.
Alex's proudest achievement was winning the Wally Askew Apprentice of the Year award in 2023, first at the regional level and then nationally. He now serves as a judge for the World Skills competition, helping evaluate new apprentices entering the field.
What makes a successful refrigeration engineer? According to Alex, it's a combination of technical aptitude and character. "Make sure you're working hard. Always be busy, even if there's nothing to do. You sweep the floor," he advises aspiring apprentices. This work ethic, combined with organisation and communication skills, creates the foundation for excellence.
Having completed his apprenticeship, Alex continues advancing his qualifications: "At the moment, I have the Electrical Services Technician (EST) qualification, which limits what I can do in the job. So, my next step is, I want to get the certified electrical licence." His ongoing commitment to learning ensures White Refrigeration clients always receive the highest standard of service.
White Refrigeration's apprenticeship program develops the next generation of skilled professionals who keep your business running smoothly. If you're interested in pursuing a rewarding career in refrigeration and air conditioning or need expert service for your systems, contact us today.
Information in this article was accurate at the time of publication, but industry standards and regulations evolve frequently. Please consult with us directly for the most current guidance relevant to your specific situation.
