Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning

1. Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians: Competencies and
Educational Requirements
As heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, you’ll find numerous job opportunities with
testing laboratories, product designing and manufacturing companies, equipment manufacturers and
distributors, construction companies, technical support firms and HVAC service contractors, in the
areas of
 Design and development
 Installation and maintenance
 Testing and troubleshooting
 Technical support
 Sales and service
With experience, you can also work as specifications writers, estimators, service managers, sales
managers and team leaders. The other opportunities exist in consulting, determining material and
labour requirements and quality management and labour relations. However, for more advanced
career options, you will need to upgrade your knowledge along with gathering substantial experience in
the field.
Building a Career as Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Technicians
Competencies Requirements
In order to seek entry level jobs in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning, you need to possess
following competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities):
 A broad knowledge of design, installation and service techniques of heating and air conditioning
systems for commercial and residential settings
 A working knowledge of maintaining, sizing and selecting equipment for air conditioning and
refrigeration application
 Hands-on experience in pipe joining and installation
 Ability to work on all traditional and modern electrical and control
systems
 Ability to select equipment to meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
(SEER) standards
Educational Requirements
In order to work as a heating and refrigeration technician in Canada, you will
need to at least have undergone a formal post-secondary education program in
heating, refrigeration and air conditioning. However, for becoming
tradesperson, you need to complete an apprenticeship after graduation in
plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, sheet metal or refrigeration.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Courses in Canada
A post-secondary program in heating and refrigeration can help you gain the
knowledge and skills required to enter the world of work and start your career.
Although a number of colleges in Canada offer refrigeration and air
conditioning courses but not all are affiliated. Besides, they may not provide
you with hands-on experience which is an essential requirement to find a job
after course completion.
Centennial College’s program in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning
technician spans the areas of design and engineering, encompassing the

2. development of refrigerants, equipment selection, efficiency standards and installation and service
techniques. Besides, it offers much required hands-on experience through its state-of-the-art
laboratories.
Program Details
The two-year program covers a wide selection of subjects including:
 Fundamentals of cooling cycles and heating
 Mechanical cooling cycles
 Pipe joining and installation for cooling
 Mathematics
 Acts, regulations and procedures
 Electrical fundamentals
 Mechanical drawing and prints
 Ethics in technology and environment
 Psychometrics – control
 System design and installation
 Electrical and control systems
 Heating hydronic fundamentals
 Air conditioning and distribution systems
 Advanced electrical and control systems
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you will need:
 Secondary school diploma or equivalent
 English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
 Mathematics Grade 11 M or 12 C or University or equivalent
Students currently attending high schools can also apply for this program. Their grades will be
automatically transferred to the college.