Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer

From maintaining a comfortable air temperature and humidity in a multi-screen cinema, to keeping blood at the right temperature for lifesaving operations, the air conditioning and refrigeration industry covers a wide range of activities.

Air conditioning and refrigeration engineers use technical knowledge and practical skills to ensure that products such as heat pumps and refrigerant gases are handled in a safe and eco-friendly way, reducing the impact on the environment as much as possible.

The work may involve:

• undertaking preparatory work
• inspecting, testing, certificating and commissioning
• identifying and rectifying faults
• providing functional and technical information to customers
• overseeing work activities.

Air conditioning and refrigeration engineers generally work between 37 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Sometimes they may need to work at night and weekends.

The job involves working both inside and outside, for example on the roofs of buildings, and sometimes in cramped and uncomfortable positions.

Salaries may range from around £10,000 for a first-year apprentice to £30,000 a year or more.

Air conditioning and refrigeration engineers should:

• be practical and have good hand skills
• be able to follow technical drawings and other instructions
• be good at problem solving
• be reasonably fit with normal colour vision
• be interested in engineering.

Employers in the air conditioning and refrigeration industry range from small local companies to national multi-service companies.

Most people start as an apprentice straight from school or college and work towards relevant qualifications (NVQ at Level 2 or 3 and a technical certificate) whilst working. Applicants for an Apprenticeship need a minimum of three GCSEs (A*-C) or the Diploma in construction and the built environment or engineering at higher level.

Apprentices train on the job, spending time working alongside an experienced engineer. This is combined with off-the-job training in the form of day or block release at a college or training centre.

Engineers qualified at Level 3 may go on to take higher-level qualifications leading to progression into technician, supervisory management or professional building services engineering roles. Some individuals may move into design consultancy or teaching. Many qualified people run their own businesses.

Further details