Fast-growing business is set to expand in 2019 and is also looking for five engineers after a series of contract wins and a major acquisition. Tony McDonough reports

Merseyside air conditioning and ventilation firm is looking to recruit 10 apprentices as part of its 2019 expansion plans.

Based in Bootle, the business is already one of the North West’s leading suppliers of air conditioning and ventilation services and enjoyed significant growth in 2018, winning a string of contracts with organisations including Knowsley Council, Merseytravel and the Iliad Group.

It also took on five new people during the year and invested in three new vehicles for its fleet. And late last year Everkool’s owner Craig Greenwood, acquired ventilation wholesalers Hargreaves in a £150,000 deal.

Hargreaves has supplied ventilation products to North West businesses for more than 20 years and the deal secured the future of its 14 employees. 

Now Everkool is setting up a flagship apprenticeship programme aimed at school-leavers who wish to train as air conditioning and ventilation engineers. 

There will be 10 places will be available on the programme which will start this summer. The company is seeking to bolster its experienced workforce with the appointment of five qualified engineers. 

Mr Greenwood said: “Our business growth in 2018 surpassed our expectations and has placed us in a very strong position. It has allowed us the opportunity to establish the forthcoming apprenticeship programme and recruit new engineers. 

“Having left school without curriculum subject qualifications, vocational training is incredibly important to me so I’m excited to be investing in young people in the city and giving them a chance to learn a good trade.

“2019 is shaping up to be a great year for Everkool and our ambitions to eventually become Britain’s biggest supplier of air-conditioning and ventilation services.”