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.

Other programs in this sector:

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).

PROGRAM TYPES

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Cowichan

Jan 06 2025Feb 21 2025

Refrigeration (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Jan 06 2025Mar 14 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 06 2025Mar 14 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 06 2025Feb 14 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 06 2025Mar 14 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 06 2025Mar 13 2025

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 06 2025Feb 14 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 06 2025Mar 14 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Feb 10 2025Apr 17 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Cowichan

Mar 03 2025May 08 2025

Refrigeration (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Mar 24 2025May 30 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Duncan Ave. Penticton

Mar 24 2025May 08 2025

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Mar 24 2025May 30 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Mar 24 2025May 09 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Mar 31 2025May 16 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Apr 22 2025Jun 27 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Apr 22 2025May 30 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Duncan Ave. Penticton

May 12 2025Jun 19 2025

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

May 26 2025Jul 04 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Aug 05 2025Oct 10 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Aug 25 2025Oct 10 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Duncan Ave. Penticton

Aug 25 2025Oct 30 2025

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Aug 25 2025Oct 10 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Sep 15 2025Oct 24 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Sep 15 2025Oct 24 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Oct 06 2025Dec 12 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Oct 14 2025Dec 19 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Oct 14 2025Dec 19 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Oct 14 2025Nov 28 2025

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Cowichan

Oct 27 2025Dec 11 2025

Refrigeration (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Nov 03 2025Dec 19 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Duncan Ave. Penticton

Nov 03 2025Dec 18 2025

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Nov 03 2025Dec 19 2025

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Jan 05 2026Mar 13 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Van. Island University

Cowichan

Jan 05 2026Mar 12 2026

Refrigeration (HL)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 05 2026Feb 20 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 05 2026Mar 13 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Jan 05 2026Mar 13 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 05 2026Mar 13 2026

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Jan 05 2026Feb 13 2026

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC

Jan 12 2026Mar 19 2026

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

BCIT

BBY - Burnaby

Feb 17 2026Apr 24 2026

Refrigeration Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Mar 02 2026Apr 10 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Mar 23 2026May 29 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Mar 23 2026May 29 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Thompson Rivers University

Kamloops

Mar 23 2026May 01 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Okanagan College

Duncan Ave. Penticton

Mar 23 2026Apr 30 2026

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (Harmonized)

Institution

Campus

Date

Program

Contact

Camosun College

Interurban

Mar 30 2026May 15 2026

Refrigeration Mechanic (Harmonized)