Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics make, install, repair and service residential, commercial and industrial cooling and heating systems. Some work in building maintenance, servicing the air conditioning systems in high-rise office buildings. Others specialize in repairing small, portable refrigeration and freezing units. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics measure, cut and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment. They also recharge systems with refrigerant gases as required. They may connect rooftop units to gas, test and balance systems and connect electrical systems. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics must be able to use and adjust computerized controls, use computer software to calculate loads, and work on large machines.
Note: This trade is transitioning to a Pan-Canadian Harmonized program, so it is important that Apprentices understand how that impacts their training path. This trade will also fall under mandatory certification, effective December 1, 2023. Details on these changes can be found via SkilledTradesBC, or contact your trainer for the most current updates.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic is a nationally designated trade under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
Explore job expectations, education requirements, salary and more:WorkBC Career Profile
Recommendations
The following education is recommended: Grade 10 (Grade 12 preferred), including English 10, Math 10, and Science 10.
The Apprenticeship Program comprises Levels 1-to-4 of progressive technical training, with each Level taking from 6-10 weeks (180-300 hours) to complete. In addition, apprentices are required to accumulate 6,210 hours of work-based training.
A Foundation Program can jump-start your career without employer sponsorship by supplying the knowledge and skills to enter directly at Level 2, after 25 weeks of training (refer to SkilledTradesBC for alternative paths into the occupation).
Refine Results
+ Region
+ Campus
+ Start Date
- Availability
All
Open - no waitlist
PROGRAM TYPES
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact Institution |
---|---|---|---|---|
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Jan 28 2025–Jul 18 2025 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Okanagan College | Vernon, BC | Feb 03 2025–Aug 29 2025 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Feb 03 2025–Jul 25 2025 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Camosun College | Interurban | Feb 10 2025–Sep 05 2025 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Van. Island University | Cowichan | Mar 24 2025–Nov 13 2025 | Refrigeration (HL) | |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Apr 01 2025–Dec 11 2026 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Technician) Coop - Harmonized | |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Jul 28 2025–Jan 30 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Aug 26 2025–Feb 27 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Van. Island University | Cowichan | Sep 02 2025–May 07 2026 | Refrigeration (HL) | |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Sep 02 2025–Mar 13 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation | |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Sep 22 2025–Jul 24 2026 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Technician) - (Harmonized) | |
Camosun College | Interurban | Oct 20 2025–May 15 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Jan 27 2026–Jul 17 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Okanagan College | Vernon, BC | Feb 02 2026–Jul 23 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Feb 02 2026–Jul 24 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Van. Island University | Nanaimo | Mar 23 2026–Nov 12 2026 | Refrigeration (HL) |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
---|---|---|---|---|
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Jan 28 2025–Jul 18 2025 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | Vernon, BC | Feb 03 2025–Aug 29 2025 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Feb 03 2025–Jul 25 2025 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Camosun College | Interurban | Feb 10 2025–Sep 05 2025 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Van. Island University | Cowichan | Mar 24 2025–Nov 13 2025 | Refrigeration (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Apr 01 2025–Dec 11 2026 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Technician) Coop - Harmonized | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Jul 28 2025–Jan 30 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Aug 26 2025–Feb 27 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Van. Island University | Cowichan | Sep 02 2025–May 07 2026 | Refrigeration (HL) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Sep 02 2025–Mar 13 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
BCIT | BBY - Burnaby | Sep 22 2025–Jul 24 2026 | Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (Technician) - (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Camosun College | Interurban | Oct 20 2025–May 15 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | Duncan Ave. Penticton | Jan 27 2026–Jul 17 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Okanagan College | Vernon, BC | Feb 02 2026–Jul 23 2026 | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Thompson Rivers University | Kamloops | Feb 02 2026–Jul 24 2026 | Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized) | |
Institution | Campus | Date | Program | Contact |
Van. Island University | Nanaimo | Mar 23 2026–Nov 12 2026 | Refrigeration (HL) |