Sam Ivey - Trainee to Team Leader
My Journey to Leadership: A Conversation with
Sam Ivey
My journey with MCFT officially began in January 2018, but the story started a little earlier. I was fortunate enough to know a couple of people already working at MCFT, and I was keen to move away from office work. After speaking with them, I was encouraged to attend an assessment day — and I was lucky enough to pass and begin my career at MCFT as a trainee.
Since that day, my learning hasn’t stopped. While I completed the formal training and an apprenticeship that lasted around two and a half years (finishing just after 2020), the opportunities for development didn’t end there. MCFT consistently provides training courses, regardless of your level of experience. There’s always something new — like manufacturer training — and I recently completed the Foster training as part of that.
Today, I’m proud to say I am a Team Leader for the South Coast Refrigeration team. My journey has taken me from trainee to improver, where I started with small, manageable tasks I felt confident doing. I progressed to an early Engineer, trusted to work on more complex components like compressors and evaporators under supervision. Eventually, I became a fully qualified engineer. From there, I was promoted to Deputy Team Leader, and now, I’m leading the team.
I owe a great deal to MCFT — not just for the tools and training, but for the belief they place in people who are willing to learn and grow. If you show hunger, capability, and a willingness to align with their vision, the progression is certainly there. You really can shape your own path.
Progress Beyond the Tools
Looking back on the milestones I’ve hit, it’s clear how much my perspective has shifted. In the early days, my sense of achievement came from simply understanding how the system worked and ticking boxes. Now, I measure success by watching others in the team grow and progress. My biggest achievement? Seeing people join the team, develop, and thrive.
A Day in My Life
No two days are the same. My role involves balancing the demands of customers with the needs of my team. Some days are full of call-outs; other days are quieter but involve planning, scheduling PPMs, and reviewing priorities. I still stay hands-on with the engineering side to keep my skills sharp. A big part of my job is making sure the team has everything they need and checking in to ensure they’re happy and supported.
The Qualifications Behind the Career
MCFT offers a comprehensive set of qualifications and training, starting with e-learning modules — covering asbestos, electrical safety, fire safety, hot works, first aid, ladder safety, and even cyber security. Everyone also completes a basic electrical course with an external provider, including key refrigeration safety elements like safe isolation.
Personally, I’ve completed my Hydrocarbons certification, Level 2 City & Guilds, and the IOSH Managing Safely course — which was a particularly in-depth experience. One of the best aspects is that nothing is forced. You’re never pushed beyond your limits; instead, you're supported to do things the right way and at a pace that works for you.
How It Shaped My Career
Starting from the ground up has made a huge difference. I can relate to situations at every level because I’ve been there. The support from MCFT has also been massive — and it doesn’t matter where you’re at in your journey; the opportunities are there if you want them.
Interested in kickstarting your engineering career? Visit our People site to find out more about our Apprenticeship opportunities.
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