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Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic |
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Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 - 2009
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.
At installation sites, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics:
Maintenance work involves checking all parts of a system, oiling moving parts, keeping units filled with refrigerant, and adjusting valves. When there is a malfunction, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics diagnose the problem and fix the unit by replacing or repairing controls, electric wiring or other parts.
Mechanics also repair heating equipment, troubleshoot gas-fired equipment and calibrate all gas-related controls.
The working environment for refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics varies greatly from one job to another. They work in compressor rooms and on roof tops as well as in clean, comfortable computer rooms. They normally work 40 hours a week on a year-round basis.
There may be some risk of injury involved in working with electricity, gases under high pressure and hazardous gases.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy variety, problem solving, and working with little supervision.
To be successful in their trade, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics need:
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics usually work for companies that install and service air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. Some journeyman refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics are self-employed.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $23 to $32 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics may advance to supervisory positions.
To work as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire post-secondary graduates of technical programs or high school graduates who have good marks and an aptitude for science and mechanics, or journeymen in other trades.
- during on-the-job training, apprentice refrigeration and air condition mechanics earn at least 50 percent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 60 percent in the second, 75 percent in the third, and 85 percent in the fourth year.
- select an educational institution that offers training for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. For more information see Financial Assistance or contact an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
