Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians Have Variety of Responsibilities

Did you know that the job of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians consists of more than just installing cooling and heating systems? These professionals actually: plan, prepare and lay out systems; install and start up refrigeration and air cooling systems; install and connect piping that carries all types of refrigerant used for cooling; maintain, service, repair and replace refrigeration and air cooling systems components and accessories, including the electrical and electronic components of the system; service, test, adjust, refrigeration and air cooling systems.

With such a variety of responsibilities, technicians need the right post-secondary training to ensure their success in the field. At Centennial College’s Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician offering, students train for two years to ensure that they are prepared. As a result, they obtain an Ontario College Diploma and graduate with the skills they need to to find employment as heating technicians or through affiliated trade apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, sheet metal or refrigeration. Apprenticeship is required after graduation, for those who wish to become tradespersons.

During the training, they partake in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses that emphasize: maintaining, sizing and selecting equipment for air conditioning and refrigeration application; the development of refrigerants; development of equipment to meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards; efficiency standards for heating equipment; installation and service techniques; among others.

Due to the very practical nature of the Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning industry, training is facilitated from Progress Campus, where hospitality programs run a conference centre, restaurant and more. Such facilities offer ample opportunity for students to develop skills through hands-on practice. In addition, students partake in a Capstone Project, which rounds out in-class training. This last-semester project, which is supervised by a faculty member, encompasses elements of everything the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technician students have learned throughout their time in the program.

With the world becoming very technology focused and great strides being made in heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, this program prides itself on offering the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques.

To apply for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses, students are required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have completed English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent; and Math 11M or U, or 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.