Available Intakes
Overview
Learn to install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.
At installation sites, you'll work from drawings or verbal instructions to:
- Mount or place system components
- Assemble and install refrigeration or air conditioning systems and components
- Install and calibrate related controls (including wiring) and start-up systems
- Test lines to detect leaks
- Record the readings taken to ensure that the system is functioning satisfactorily
Maintenance work involves checking all parts of a system, lubricating moving parts and monitoring the refrigerant charge. When there is a malfunction, you will diagnose the problem and fix the unit by replacing or repairing controls, electric wiring or other parts. You may also repair heating equipment, troubleshoot gas-fired equipment and calibrate all gas-related controls.
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice who is working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson, or you must be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Is this the right fit for me?
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics are skilled tradespeople who like collaborating with others and working independently. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy working with their hands, in a variety of environments and developing specialized skills.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- Creative problem solvers
- Good customer service skills
- Good math and science skills
- Adaptable to working in different environments
- Physical stamina to use proper lifting techniques for heavy pipes, being on feet for long periods, and working in cramped positions
- Mechanical ability
- Ability to work independently or in a team
- Commitment to safe working conditions
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training. The Journeyperson will also be awarded their first year of Gas B or first year of Gas A if they choose to get a second trade.
This is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics usually work for companies that install and service air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions, specialize in a type of repair or take on new apprentices. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
Tuition and fees 2023/24
- Period 1: $1,375
- Period 2: $1,375
- Period 3: $1,375
- Period 4: $1,375
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Admission requirements
Giving students a leg up on Giving Day
SAIT student finds himself in an untenable situation as he tries to finish his intake while living in his car. Fortunately, donor-sponsored emergency fund was there to help him out.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 20 or Chemistry 20
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 or Chemistry 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 17, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 3 or 4 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 |
| 1, 3, 3 or 4 | Feb. 26, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| 3 or 4 | April 29, 2024 | June 21, 2024 |
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
The term of apprenticeship for a refrigeration and air condition mechanic is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
You will start by learning occupational skills. You will then learn an introduction to refrigeration, air conditioning and heating, an introduction to electrical theory and introductions to controls.
You will learn basic refrigeration and air conditioning, basic heating, basic electrical theory and basic controls.
You will learn intermediate refrigeration and air conditioning, intermediate heating theory, intermediate electrical theory and air handling theory.
You will then learn advanced refrigeration theory, advanced heating theory, complex air system theory and advanced control systems
Apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training procedures
Trade Pathways diagram and links.
Note: All diagrams will be exported in PDF format and will include the following links:
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Number of weeks | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 2 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 3 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 4 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
Fees breakdown
| SAIT fees | Cost per period |
|---|---|
| Lab and materials fee | $90 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 |
| Campus recreation fee | $51.50 |
| Total | $247 |
Saitsa fee per week: $9
Learn more about what your fees are for
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal Protective Equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
