Vinjar Eliassen, now qualified as refrigeration technician at PTG in Narvik, interviewed in an article originally written for the Kulde og varmepumper trade journal.
Vinjar Eliassen had actually intended to be an electrician, he relates. “So I applied for that course when the time came to start upper secondary school. But then a bloke from PTG came to the school and talked about what it was like to be a refrigeration technician. That sounded really interesting and prompted me to switch courses.”
This is an edited translation of an article originally written for the Kulde og varmepumper trade journal by editor Jørn Wad.
Eliassen has never regretted this decision, and is now taking his qualifying exam in that trade at PTG in Narvik. He sounds completely relaxed at the prospect, thanks to the solid training he has received from his first day as an apprentice and the good follow-up provided all the way. So taking the exam now is more or less a matter of doing just what he does on a normal day.
Recommended
Asked whether he would recommend this trade to a friend, Eliassen says he would not hesitate to give it every praise. “In my view, it’s a very good trade – particularly if you can join a small team like the one we have in Narvik.
“That let’s you try it all, both various service assignments and constructing installations. Then you’re developing the whole time, and it never gets boring.”
The 20-year-old secured his apprenticeship towards the end of his second year at upper secondary school, and says he was lucky in getting it with PTG. That was his first choice.
“The reason for that’s simple – it looked like being the biggest and best company, so I was really keen to work there. And that’s turned out to be the right decision.
“As I said before, I’ve felt properly looked after the whole time. And that’s important when you get to where I am now, about to take the exam – that you feel confident about what you’re doing.”
Looking ahead
Eliassen certainly expresses a rock-solid conviction of qualifying and has the opportunity to continue working for PTG. He makes it clear that this is what he wants to do.
But he has no plans for the moment to continue his education. “I’m pleased to have reached the point of qualifying as a skilled worker, and aim to work at that for a few years. Then we’ll see.
“At the moment, I haven’t actually thought much further than the exam. But I know, of course, that the company offers many opportunities if you yourself want to go further.”
Asked what is absolutely the best feature of his job, he has to reflect a little before answering – a little hesitantly. “I don’t know, really. There’s a lot of satisfying things to do here. But it’s probably the fact that this is such a varied job all the time.
“In that respect, we’re lucky here in Narvik with a small department. You just have to turn your hand to things when it’s necessary, which means the work is constantly changing. That suits me very well, so that’s undoubtedly what I appreciate most.
“This is a trade where I’m pretty certain to enjoy myself, and which I aim to continue with as far ahead as I can see now, at any rate. So to those youngsters who’re wondering what to become and are reading this, I can wholeheartedly recommend them – both girls and boys – becoming a refrigeration technician.”