Trade Programs: Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic

This trade is compulsory. To legally work in this trade in Manitoba, you must be a registered apprentice or hold a Certificate of Qualification.

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic do?

In Manitoba, you can train to be a Commercial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic OR a Residential Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. After completing apprenticeship training, mechanics in this trade are certified to install, repair, service, replace and maintain a variety of air conditioning, heating, and ventilation and air exchange systems.

Reliable heating and cooling systems are vitally important to the comfort levels of homes and apartments and to the operation of many commercial enterprises and recreational facilities. Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics are trained to competently work with the following cooling and heating systems and their components:

• refrigerant piping systems
• rotary, reciprocating and centrifugal compressor assemblies
• condenser and cooling tower assemblies
• evaporator assemblies, defrost systems, system controls and control valves
• air heating and cooling distribution equipment
• packaged and central residential air conditioning systems
• humidifier, air cleaner and ice maker assemblies
• circulating pump assemblies, heat pump systems and absorption systems

A Commercial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic works in commercial buildings such as apartments, restaurants, hospitals and ice rinks and:

• installs, services and repairs equipment used in a refrigerating or air-conditioning system
• assembles or connects pipes or ducts used in piping brine, refrigerant or conditioned air
• assembles walk-in boxes and installs display cases

A Residential Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic installs the following residential heating, ventilating, air conditioning and potable water heating equipment:

• equipment using single-phase electricity that doesn't exceed a specific voltage or amperage
• heating and cooling equipment that uses gas or oil to a maximum rated Btu/kW input
• cooling equipment rated to a maximum Btu/kW capacity
• ventilation equipment that does not exceed a prescribed standard

What skills/abilities are required?

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics spend a large portion of their time applying highly specialized skills to heating and cooling systems in the field. They must have strong analytical abilities to detect and repair problems. In addition to working with hand and power tools, they are expected to read blueprints and use computers.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must be able to safely operate trade tools and test instruments. They must have a sound understanding of the elements of refrigeration, refrigerants and oils as well as codes and regulations. Knowledge of basic electricity and motors in addition to skills in troubleshooting, welding and brazing, rigging and hoisting and trade calculations are required on the job.

To be successful in this trade you must be familiar with all heating and cooling equipment and devices. You should have a mechanical ability and interest, as well as good coordination and manual dexterity. Customer service is equally important, as you must be able to interpret a description of a problem and be able to communicate the choice of corrective measures or best solution. This profession is rewarding for those who like variety, problem solving and working with little supervision.

How long is the apprenticeship program?

Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning: apprenticeship training is five years of four levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training. The fourth year of training is devoted entirely to acquiring on-the-job experience.

Residential Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic: apprenticeship training is four years of three levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training. The third year of training is devoted entirely to acquiring on-the-job experience.

During the first level of your apprenticeship training you must apply for a Manitoba Ozone Protection Industry Association (MOPIA) licence, and in level two, a Gas Fitter "B" Licence. As an apprentice or journeyperson working in this trade, you must renew these licences every four years with the Mechanical and Engineering Branch of Manitoba Labour and Immigration.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

To enhance the practical training you receive from your employer, for each level of your apprenticeship training, you are called to attend school for several months of technical training. While at school, topics of instruction include:

• Mathematics, Science and Communications related to the trade
• Basic refrigeration cycles
• Heat and temperature
• Evaporators, feed valves and refrigerant controls
• Compressors, fittings and valves
• Trade tools, test instruments and blueprint reading
• Making mechanical, brazed and soldered connections
• Oxyacetylene and electrical arc welding
• Regulators and pilot operating valves
• Air conditioning principles, systems and controls and defrosting
• Ice making machines, thermodynamics
• Safety, hand and power tools

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

Senior Years Apprenticeship Option: Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required including recommended courses in Math and Science. If you are 19 years or older and do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as a Mature Student. Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you finish all your required apprenticeship levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score a minimum mark of 70 per cent to qualify for a "Red Seal" interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a Commercial Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. Your credentials are recognized in other parts of Canada. At present the residential Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Certificate of Qualification is only recognized provincially.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

The regulation states that when a Commercial or Residential Refrigeration & Air Conditioning apprentice is working on the job, an employer must pay the apprentice a percentage of what a journeyperson would earn. This would be at least 50 per cent during level one. The minimum rate increases by 10 per cent for each consecutive level of training. In level four, apprentices would earn at least 80 per cent of what a journeyperson would make. In level five, a commercial refrigeration & air conditioning apprentice would make at least 90 per cent of what a journeyperson would earn.

An apprentice who works for a company with a collective labour agreement with wages higher than those stated in the trade regulation would receive the rate of pay specified in the collective agreement.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits. In total, the value of the benefits can range from 20 per cent to 30 per cent over and above the basic hourly pay rate.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule

What are the career prospects?

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics are employed in the construction, installation and service/repair fields. They may be self-employed as contractors or work in mills, packing plants, mines, refineries, manufacturing and chemical plants. They may also be employees of engineering and consulting firms, building management and equipment manufacturing companies.

With additional training, certified Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanics can transfer their skills to related apprenticeship trades such as Industrial Instrument Mechanic, Electrician, Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) and Steamfitter/Pipefitter.

Generally:
In the last decade, new technologies in refrigeration and air conditioning have made equipment extremely energy efficient. As a result, people who work in this trade require specialized certification and must continually update their skills and knowledge in the repair and maintenance of these and related sophisticated electronic systems. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must also be aware of all regulations and codes that affect the handling, recovery and storage of ozone-depleting substances.