National Award For Local Energy Firm
19 July 2010
Phoenix Energy Services, part of the Phoenix group of companies based in Belfast, has been celebrating recent national recognition after the organisation were presented with the UK ‘Business Skills’ award by the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers at a Gala dinner in London.
The business offers a range of services that include boiler repair, boiler insurance cover, meter reading and an emergency response service available to the local community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The judges noted that at a local level Phoenix Energy Services had also taken a pro-active role in the creation of Northern Ireland’s first ever gas sector skills qualification by working in partnership with Energy & Utility Skills, the Department of Education and Learning and Belfast Metropolitan College.
Phoenix Energy Services also helped these industry partners launch the ‘Young Person into Industry’ programme for 14 – 16 year olds - a unique opportunity for schools in partnership with the College to deliver a flexible vocational programme relevant to the needs of the local Energy and Utility industry.
Young people joining the scheme not only gain a recognised City and Guilds qualification in Engineering but also have the opportunity to experience a real working environment whilst studying for their GCSEs.
Mr Brian George, lecturer at Belfast Metropolitan College reflected on the award by saying:
“We would like to congratulate Phoenix Energy Services on their deserved award, working in partnership with such a professional and forward thinking company has really helped the College improve its capability to provide the practical environment necessary for our students to learn within.”
Paul McKee, General Manager of Phoenix Energy Services, said:
“When the business was formed under ten years ago with just two staff we had a vision to employ and develop local people into a career in the natural gas industry. We now have 56 people in the organisation and complete over 40,000 jobs every year. I would like to dedicate this award to the hard work of everyone within the team and also acknowledge the greatly appreciated role of our industry partners”.
Back row: Brian George (Belfast Metropolitan College), Jo Moore (Energy & Utility Skills), Shauna Mullan (Department of Education and Learning), Jim Gourley (PMST) and Raymond Whiteford (Belfast Metropolitan College). Front: Paul McKee (Phoenix Energy Services) and apprentice Sam McNaul (Phoenix Energy Services)