Refrigeration/Air Conditioning Technician
What is the work like?
As a refrigeration and air-conditioning technician, you would install, service and repair temperature and air quality control systems.
You might fit these systems in factories, offices, shops or in residential housing. Wherever you work, your duties could include:
- surveying sites to check that installation plans are practical
- planning the layout of pipework, ducts and control panels
- producing estimates for installation, equipment and running costs
- organising craftspeople, work schedules and material supplies
- fitting refrigeration or air-conditioning systems
- inspecting and testing systems before certifying that they are ready to use
- carrying out regular maintenance checks.
In most cases, you would be part of a team, working under the direction of a qualified engineer, but you may have supervisory duties on smaller jobs.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
Often, the best way to become a technician is by starting out as an apprentice fitter and working your way up. To get on to an apprenticeship, you would normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C), including maths and science or technology, or equivalent qualifications.
The range of Apprenticeships available in your area will depend on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers. For more information on Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.
As an alternative, you could take a college course to learn some of the skills you would need in this industry. Courses include:
- BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Building Services Engineering
- EAL Diploma in Maintenance of Refrigeration Systems
- City & Guilds (6127) Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technical Certificate
- foundation degree in building services engineering.
You can find more details about this career and training providers on the websites for the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB) and SummitSkills.
What further training and development can I do?
As a trainee technician, you would work towards NVQ Mechanical Engineering Services – Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (6087) at levels 2 and 3. This award contains options in:
- Commercial and Industrial Air-conditioning Systems
- Non-Ammonia Commercial and Industrial Air-conditioning Systems
- Ammonia Refrigeration Systems.
If you are going to work with fluorinated gases (F gases), you are legally required to have minimum qualifications to prove that you are competent to do so. The City & Guilds (2078) Safe Handling of Refrigerants and the Construction Industry Training Board's Safe Handling Certificate are accepted as proof.
A new, updated award for this area is under development. See the ACRIB website for more details.
You could continue your studies by taking BTEC HNC or HND or degrees in Building Services Engineering (refrigeration and air conditioning), as part of your professional development.
The Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) offers a membership scheme at various grades. Membership would allow you access to a variety of professional development workshops and training courses that they offer. See the IoR website for more details.
With experience, you could register with the Engineering Council to gain EngTech status, which would help with your professional development.
Where can I go for more information?
Carshalton
Surrey
SM5 2JR
Tel: 020 8647 7033
Balham
London
SW12 9BS
Tel: 020 8675 5211
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- New technicians can earn between £12,000 and £17,000 a year.
- Experienced technicians earn between £20,000 and £27,000.
- Senior staff with supervisory responsibilities can earn around £30,000 a year.
This section is intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would normally work between 37 and 40 hours a week. Overtime may be available.
Your working conditions would vary depending on the building or site. You might need to use protective equipment and clothing for some jobs.
You would often work on a contract basis, moving from job to job, so you could be based anywhere in the UK for weeks or months at a time.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- good problem-solving skills
- good maths skills for working out quantities and costs
- the ability to explain technical matters in clear terms
- the ability to read technical drawings, cabling plans and circuit diagrams
- good communication skills
- a willingness to keep up to date with national and European legislation on refrigerants
- an awareness of health and safety issues.
What opportunities are there?
According to NGRF, employment within this sector is expected to increase. Rapid economic development overseas means there are also many opportunities to work abroad.
With experience, you could specialise in transport refrigeration or progress to supervisory management jobs. With further training, you could become a fully qualified building services engineer and work in energy management, estimating, project design and commissioning.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Engineering Jobs Network
Jobcentre Plus
Refrigeration Engineer
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