Refrigeration and air-conditioning installer

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

College

You may be able to take a college course, to give you some of the knowledge and skills needed to help find a job as a trainee. Courses include:

• Level 2 Diploma in Access to Building Services Engineering
• Level 2 Diploma in Installing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems
• Level 3 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
• T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You could train for this job through an apprenticeship, such as:

• Building Services Engineering Installer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Mobile Transport Refrigeration Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete.

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

• the ability to repair machines or systems
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• the ability to use your initiative
• problem-solving skills
• practical skills for installing equipment
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• persistence and determination
• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of building and construction
• analytical thinking skills
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of maths
• practical skills for repairing and maintaining equipment
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to analyse quality or performance
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to work well with your hands
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

Refrigeration and air-conditioning installers work on air quality and cooling systems in buildings, storage and transport.

In this job, you'll:

• survey sites where cooling systems are to be fitted
• plan the layout of pipework, ducts and control panels
• install components
• provide scheduled maintenance on systems
• find and fix faults
• carry out quality checks to make sure systems are working properly and safely
• retrofit buildings to meet environmental standards
• work on refrigerated transport
• advise customers on ways to reduce their energy use

Location : You could work at a client's business.
Environment : Your working environment may be cramped, dusty, cold and you'll travel often.

Salary:

Starter : £20,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

48 - 50 hours a week

Working Pattern is on call on a rota

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a refrigeration engineer, designing cooling systems, or move into building services engineering or plumbing. You could also set up your own business.