Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician

Certificate

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NAIT's Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration (HVACR) Technician certificate offers training for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Students will learn how to commission, design, install, maintain, service and trouble shoot HVACR systems.

The goals of the certificate are to provide familiarity with the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry and understanding of the operating principles of industry-specific equipment, systems and procedures. Students will work with hand tools and power tools, as well as computer programs and computer simulators. Instructional class time consists of 50% theory classes and 50% practical classes (computer lab/shop).

Graduates with this certificate will receive recognition for periods 1 and 2 of technical training towards the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic (RACM) apprenticeship program. Graduates will receive full credit towards the 1st and 2nd periods of RACM once they successfully challenge 1st and 2nd period technical exams and obtain their on the job training hours.

Upcoming Intakes

Select your preferred intake to see relevant program information. Program details, including tuition and course information, may vary by intake.

Selection Start Date Delivery Mode Time Campus Length Domestic Status International Status
Sep. 02, 2025 (Fall) In-person Weekdays - Daytime Main 1 Year (Full-time) Closed Open
 
             
 

Swipe table to view more information for each intake.

Delivery Mode

  • In-person - All your class activity will be delivered in person, on campus.
  • Online - All your class activity will be delivered online.
  • Hybrid - Your classes will be a mixture of in person and online learning. You must be able to come to campus and participate remotely online.
  • Your choice - Your program offers a variety of class delivery options (in person, online, or a mixture of both) and you can select which type of classes to take. If you wish, you can complete your entire program either in-person or online.
  • HyFlex - All your classes are delivered for simultaneous participation in person and online. You can choose daily to attend your classes in person or join remotely online.

Time

  • Your choice - You can select class times and days that fit your schedule. There are a variety of class options for you to choose from including daytime, evening, weekdays or weekends.
  • No set time - No set class days or times, content is access on-demand. You can complete your studies on your own schedule within the scheduled class dates; may have set due dates and deadlines.
  • Evenings & Weekends - Classes are scheduled after 5 p.m. on weekdays or anytime on weekends.
  • Weekdays - Daytime - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start before 6 p.m.
  • Weekdays - Evening - Classes are scheduled on weekdays, typically start after 6 p.m.
  • Weekends - Classes are scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

Campus

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at this campus location.

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Length

  • Full-Time - This is the standard length to complete the program, with a full course load per term.
  • Part-Time - Students follow a structured schedule of classes so they can progress in their studies part-time while balancing everyday life.

Domestic Status

The program availability status for domestic applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

International Status

The program availability status for international applications is updated as applications are reviewed and assessed. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

  • Open - Program intake is accepting applications. If you apply and are qualified, you may be offered admission or be waitlisted. Open does not guarantee a seat.
  • Limited - For international applicants, the program intake is now only available if you already have a valid study permit.
  • Waitlisting - Program intake is accepting applications, but qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
  • Closed - Program intake is not accepting applications.
  • Upcoming - Applications will open soon for this intake. View the upcoming terms for open dates.
  • N/A - Not available for this intake.

Credit programs that accept international applicants, including programs with a Hybrid delivery mode, meet the eligibility requirements for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, as long as they meet the field of study requirement or award a bachelor’s degree. Each student is responsible for maintaining their PGWP eligibility throughout their studies. Learn more by checking the International Applicants tab below.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training

The Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning Refrigeration Technician certificate provides an intensive technical introduction to the applied sector of the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industries. The concentrated one-year training package prepares students for entry-level employment in this very diverse job market.

Classroom & study hours

Students can expect to spend, on average

  • 33 hours per week attending classes over the course of a semester
  • 15 to 30 hours per week studying and completing class assignments

Is this program for you?

This program will appeal to those with a general mechanical background looking for focused, job-ready training, or to individuals with a related trades certification, such as sheet metal, electrical, plumbing or instrumentation, who desire fast re-training.

HVAC Refrigeration Technician

HVACR Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour to explore some of the Heating Ventilation Air Conditional Refrigeration (HVACR) shops and equipment.

Start exploring

International Students

International applicants should please note the following:

  • Study Permit: Admission into this 1-year certificate program may qualify international students for a study permit.
  • Working in the Skilled Trades in Alberta: Graduates of this program may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit. However, study permit or work permit holders may not be eligible to indenture with Alberta Industry Training (AIT) upon completion of this program. Indenturing with AIT is a requirement to work as a technician in Alberta. Learn more about who can indenture.

International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT academic advisor – international focus to discuss options.

International Students

Career Outcomes

Build your resume before you even graduate

Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.

View Work Integrated Learning

Work Experience Placements

Courses and Advanced Credit

Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.

Advanced Credit

You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Transfer Credit

In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:

  • You must have completed the course or program no more than 5 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
  • You must have a minimum mark of C+ in the course(s) or program

Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!

Learn how to apply for awards

International Applicants

This program accepts international students.

PGWP Eligibility

Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. Students must still meet all other PGWP eligibility requirements, including full-time and in-person study requirements.

Permanent Residency

NAIT students and graduates of this program may apply for Permanent Residency (PR) if they qualify under one of Canada’s PR pathways.

However, this program is not eligible for the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions. If you are a current or recently admitted student you can find program and course information as well as contact details for your program on the My Program page on the MyNAIT Portal.








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