ACR Journal

April | May 2023 Hi Luke, congratulations again on your most recent accolade; it’s an outstanding achievement. Tell us, when you are not collecting awards, what do you do for your day job and how did you come to be in the refrigeration sector? I work as a Junior Technical Engineer at Lightfoot Defence Ltd. The company specialises in designing, manufacturing and installing refrigeration and air conditioning equipment for the maritime, military and commercial sectors. Engineering and the sciences behind it have always appealed to me. So when my school encouraged a week’s work experience, I approached Lightfoot Defence. The week was such a RISING STAR 14 ACR Journal caught up with 2022 RACHPskills competition winner Luke Haile to talk about his career to date and a growing collection of industry awards. Why the sky’s the limit for Luke Haile success that on day 4 (and at the age of 14), the MD offered me an apprenticeship, subject to the successful completion of my upcoming GCSEs. I started with the company in September 2019 and commenced my diploma at Eastleigh College the same month, obtaining my F-Gas in the spring of 2020. What does your current role involve? Having completed my apprenticeship, I am now putting into practice the skills I gained during training. Primarily I am in a workshop, building and servicing our aerospace integrated service units. My responsibilities include the quality control and stock management of all refrigerants and gases within Lightfoot, building machinery to deadlines and helping out when needed with the onsite breakdown and maintenance repairs of our equipment. This equipment services the Eurofighter Typhoon jets and Apache helicopters, so it is paramount that they are kept in top condition. I have also been asked to assist with the future recruitment of an apprentice, having recently been through the process myself. So no two days are ever the same. Tell us how you became involved in the RACHPskills competition and what you took away from the experience. I entered in 2021, but the event was unfortunately cancelled due to Covid. I entered again the following year, competed in Spring 2022, and was the overall winner of my regional qualifier round. The national final was held in November over three days at Barking & Dagenham College. Winning the gold medal came as a shock to be honest, because I knew the competition was close. I have now been selected for Team UK Worldskills 2024, which takes place in Lyon, France. Between now and then, I commence 18 months of specialised training, which I am really looking forward to as I believe it will boost my knowledge and help my development and career. During the competition, it’s difficult not to look at others and see how far they have got. I would advise anyone else taking part not to get preoccupied with others but to Volume 9 No.3