Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic

Apprenticeship

AT A GLANCE

A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic installs, repairs, services, and maintains a variety of air conditioning, heating and ventilation and air exchange systems, as well as, refrigeration and cooling systems for the food industry. 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.

In Manitoba you can train to be either a Commercial Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic or a Residential Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic. 

Commercial:

Residential:

CAREER VIDEO(S)

Occupational Video - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (alis.alberta.ca)
PlayPlay
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Episode 58) (CareerTrek BC)
PlayPlay
previous arrow
next arrow
 
Occupational Video - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (alis.alberta.ca)
Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Episode 58) (CareerTrek BC)
previous arrow
next arrow

RELATED CAREERS

Note: Additional training and/or certification may be required.
INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENT MECHANIC
INDUSTRIAL MECHANIC
(MILLWRIGHT)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work environments for construction careers can be located outdoors or indoors or both. Work hours may vary as well. Some positions are seasonal while others are all year round, but part-time. Other positions are project-based and may require you to work full-time until the project is complete. And, of course there are careers that have full-time hours all year round.

Below is a list of workplaces where you might find opportunities to gain apprenticeship hours and/or experience:

Commercial: buildings such as apartments, restaurants, hospitals, and ice rinks

Residential: private residences

Other conditions: N/A

Source: Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook and Manitoba Prospects

MINI SKILLS ASSESSMENT

If you answer YES to the questions below, then you should consider becoming a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic!

ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROFILES

The Government of Canada Job Bank has identified Nine Literacy and Essential Skills (Reading, Writing, Document Use, Numeracy, Computer Use, Thinking, Oral Communication, Working with Others, and Continuous Learning).

Below you will find links to the Essential Skills Profiles for this occupation and/or related ones:

WAGES

Below you will find the annual salaries for apprentices and Journey Persons for a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Commercial/Residential):

Minimum for Apprentices

Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook 2013-14

 

$33,465

Average for Journey Persons

Apprenticeship Manitoba Handbook 2013-14

$66,912 – $70,000

For more information on apprenticeship wages, click here

Every year, the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) Construction Sector releases Minimum Wage Schedules for Manitoba. Below are the minimum wage rates for this career:
Minimum Wage Rate January 1, 2017 or after
Journey Persons
$35.90

TRAINING

Note: To receive the most up-to-date information about satisfying apprenticeship level requirements, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba or visit https://www.gov.mb.ca/wd/apprenticeship/

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (Commercial/Residential)

Program Length (Minimum Years)

Commercial: 5 years

Residential: 4 years

Level Requirements

Required Hours for each level (L)

Commercial:

L1: 1, 800 hours L2: 1, 800 hours L3: 1, 800 hours 

L4: 1, 800 hours L5: 1, 800 hours

 

Residential:

L1: 1, 800 hours L2: 1, 800 hours 

L3: 1, 800 hours L4: 1, 800 hours

Technical Training/Year (weeks in class)

Commercial:

Y1: 9 weeks Y2: 9 weeks Y3: 9 weeks Y4: 9 weeks Y5: 10 weeks

 

Residential:

Y1: 9 weeks Y2: 9 weeks Y3: 9 weeks Y4: 10 weeks 

Additional Licensing

Commercial and Residential: No

Trades Qualification Requirements (minimum experience required)

Minimum years of experience required

(within last 10 years)

Commercial: 7.5 years

Residential: 6 years

Minimum hours experience required

Commercial: 13, 500 hours

Residential: 10, 800 hours

Practical Exam required

Commercial: No

Residential: No

Compulsory Apprenticeship/Certificate of Qualifications required to work

Commercial: Yes

Residential: Yes

Red Seal Trade available

Commercial: Yes

Residential: No