Apprenticeship

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

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You want to be a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic. You want to learn how to install, alter, repair and maintain refrigeration and air conditioning systems in all types of applications. You are mechanically inclined and understand the basic functioning of cooling and heating systems.

But you want to learn more, like how to repair heating equipment, troubleshoot gas-fired equipment and calibrate gas-related controls. You also want to understand all parts of a system, including how to lubricate moving parts and monitor the refrigerant charge.

At NAIT, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know:

-working from drawings or verbal instructions to mount or place system components

-assembling and installing refrigeration or air conditioning systems and components

-installing and calibrating related controls, including wiring

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Periods: 4

Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training 

If you work well without supervision, like having variety in your day-to-day work and are a creative problem-solver, then you will enjoy working as a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic.

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics work in a variety of both indoor and outdoor environments depending on the job, including compressor rooms, roof tops or computer rooms. There is some risk of injury as you will work with electricity and high-pressure hazardous gases.

Training at NAIT

The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprenticeship term is:

  • 4 years (four 12-month periods)
  • minimum of 1740 hours on-the-job training each year
  • 8 weeks of technical training each year
  • See all period descriptions

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics train at NAIT Main Campus.

Refrigeration Mechanic

Enter the workforce with confidence 

As a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, you will be employed by companies that install and service air conditioning and refrigeration systems. You can also become self-employed as a contractor.

Experienced refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics may advance to supervisory positions.

You do not need this trade certification to repair domestic refrigerators, freezers or self-contained air conditioners with no piping. You also do not need this trade certification to repair transportation-based refrigeration units, which are serviced by heavy equipment mechanics.

Resources

Refrigeration Mechanic

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.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal

Periods

Tuition & Fees

The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

Dates & Deadlines

Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

Apply to Program

Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

Apply nowHow to apply checklist

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.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

Apply Now How to Apply

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