Industrial Cooling Equipment Ltd (ICE), a Runcorn-based refrigeration company, is celebrating national success after two of its apprentices were recognised as among the UK’s most promising young engineers at the 2025 ACR & Heat Pump Trainee of the Year Awards.
Held at the Leeds Marriott Hotel, the awards ceremony brought together leading employers from across the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump sectors to recognise exceptional talent and encourage the development of future engineers.
ICE apprentices Luc Dwyer and Samuel Jones each received top honours in their respective categories, marking a significant milestone for the company’s apprenticeship scheme.
Luc Dwyer was named Air Conditioning Trainee of the Year following a strong period of growth within the business. He began his apprenticeship in ICE’s service department before moving into installations, where his technical capability and confidence continued to develop. His experience now includes working on complex projects such as specialist installations within a new MRI facility.
“I’m incredibly proud to be named Apprentice of the Year in air conditioning,” Luc said. “This achievement reflects countless hours of learning, persistence, and dedication. It proves that hard work, commitment and believing in the process truly pay off. I’m grateful for the support that helped me reach this milestone.”
Those who work alongside Luc describe him as dedicated, professional and reliable, with the award highlighting both the quality of his technical work and his strong client relationships.
Samuel Jones secured the Refrigeration Trainee of the Year title shortly after achieving silver at the WorldSkills UK National Finals. In just three years at ICE, Sam has established himself as a key installation engineer, delivering complex refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation systems.
Known for his enthusiasm and commitment to self-improvement, Sam regularly studies outside of work hours and invests in his own equipment to further develop his skills. His calm, considered approach on site and strong technical knowledge have earned him widespread respect.
“I’m really made up to receive this award for the hard work I’ve put in during my apprenticeship,” Sam said. “I’m grateful the judges have recognised my efforts, and I couldn’t have achieved it without the guidance and support of my dedicated mentors.”
ICE says the achievements of its apprentices reflect a deliberate focus on long-term skills development. Facing an industry-wide shortage of qualified engineers, the company committed five years ago to investing heavily in apprenticeships as a sustainable solution.
Today, more than half of ICE’s engineering workforce began their careers through the company’s apprenticeship programme. Many have progressed into senior roles and now support and mentor the next generation of apprentices.
ICE apprentices rotate through both service and installation teams, building a broad foundation before choosing a specialist pathway. Alongside on-the-job experience, they complete college-based training from NVQ Level 2 through to Level 3, which the company views as essential to developing highly capable engineers.
ICE said it was extremely proud of the achievements of Luc and Sam, describing them as “outstanding ambassadors” for the business and the refrigeration industry as a whole.
