World Refrigeration Day 2021: Mike Price
To continue our celebration of World Refrigeration Day 2021 and its theme of: ‘Cooling Champions: Cool Careers for a Better World’ – we speak to Mike Price, a Hoshizaki engineer, about his journey in cooling so far.
When did your career in cooling begin?
My career in cooling began in 2012 when I joined Hoshizaki’s sheet metal department.
What qualifications do you have within cooling? How did you get these?
I have developed very strong practical skills and experience during my time at Hoshizaki and I am now looking to supplement this with a degree in Manufacturing Engineering at a local university.
Can you give us an overview of your cooling career?
I started as a Team Leader in Hoshizaki’s Sheet Metal department before moving to the Engineering department (Cooling) in 2019 to get more knowledge on programming and design. I am now an Engineer and will become a Mechanical or Project Engineer once I graduate from my Manufacturing Engineering degree, which I started in 2020. So far in 2021 I have been supporting the development of new products for market.
Can you give us some top tips on how to pursue a career in cooling?
I would encourage people to get in touch with some of the companies in the cooling sector. In my experience people are very friendly and they are willing to provide advice and support for anyone keen to get into cooling.
For students considering an engineering or technical career in the cooling industry are there any further education or degree courses you would recommend?
I am enjoying my Manufacturing Engineering degree, but there are a wide variety of courses that can lead to a career in the cooling industry. A good level of Mathematics helps, and understanding how a refrigeration circuit works is a good start.
How has the industry changed since you began?
Since the start of my career there has been a lot of technological changes which keeps the job interesting and more women have joined the industry which is well over due.
How has Hoshizaki helped your career development?
Hoshizaki has always been supportive of not only mine, but also other people career development throughout my 9.5 years working here. I am currently working within the Engineering department and working towards a BEng degree to strengthen my knowledge. This is something Hoshizaki has been hugely supportive of.
What changes do you expect to see in the cooling industry over the next 10 years and what career opportunities might this create?
As with most industries and the way the world is moving, towards a greener planet, I imagine there is going to be challenges ahead, to make more efficient, more greener machines.