Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Area of Study

Trades & Apprenticeship

Study options

Full-time

Work experience

None

Open to International

Length

Full-time 30 weeks.

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At a glance image

The future, today!

Start dates vary!

The Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Trades Foundation program focuses on first year competencies that are common to all of the piping trades. You'll work through common core and refrigeration & air conditioning specialty modules.

Over 30 weeks you will follow a modular training system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills and builds on these to develop specialized skills required by industry and related fields.

The Pipe Trades and Refrigeration & Air Conditioning shops are located in the Drysdale Building on the Interurban campus. Our two shops are over 12,000 sq. ft. (1,115 sq. metres) in size.

Hands-on Learning

In the Refrigeration Foundation program, you'll develop the skills and knowledge necessary for initial entry into the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning trade.

You'll be exposed to on-the-job conditions, so come prepared to work in a number of different simulations and environments. Practical projects will usually be done on site either at the college or in co-operation with local industry.

Students will apply and extend their academic knowledge and practical skills during a one-week supervised field practice in an industry setting where they will interact and build relationships with prospective employers and other tradespeople.

Virtual Trades Information Session

Next up: Apprenticeship

As a graduate of the program, you’ll be ready to start employment in the Refrigeration & Air Conditioning field.

Your training in the Foundation program will be consistent with provincial standards for Refrigeration & Air Conditioning core knowledge and credit for completing this program may be applied to a four-year apprenticeship program. As an apprentice, you will continue to build on your skills and gain the practical experience necessary to become fully qualified.

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Competencies

Use Safe Work Practices
Use Tools and Equipment
Organize Work
Apply Fundamentals of Refrigeration
Apply Electrical Concepts
Plan and Install Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems

For more details regarding the Industry Training Program, please review the ITA Accredited Program profiles for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic.

An investment in your career

Invest in yourself! This foundation program can prepare you for entry into an apprenticeship, where you will gain paid industry experience, while you learn.

Estimated tuition

Effective from September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022.

$3,237 (domestic)

Additional Student Fees

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, this full-time program is 30 weeks long. Classes are scheduled for five days a week, six hours each day. Your typical day includes theory and lectures in the classroom, with the majority of your time in the shop getting hands-on training. There is an online component for all courses offered within the program.

You'll have the opportunity to work on building mock-ups and operating tools and equipment in real-life situations. By learning how the refrigeration and air conditioning systems operate before you start on installations or repairs, you’ll become a versatile and highly competent trades person.

The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation program provides instruction in the theory and practices required to obtain credit for Level 1 apprenticeship in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic trade. The program comprises the the following core levels:

Trades Common Core
Piping Common Core
Refrigeration Specialty Core

Curriculum & courses

Admission Requirements

Ready to get started? Get your application in for the next intake.

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

One of:

C in English 11 *
C in ENGL 058 *

And one of:

C in Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 11 **
COM in MATH 038 **

* If you don’t have one of the preferred English requirements, see Admission Requirement Course Alternatives for additional Camosun English alternatives.

** If you don’t have one of the preferred Math requirements, the college will accept a “C” or higher in Foundations of Math 11 or Pre-Calculus 11. See Admission Requirement Course Alternatives for additional Camosun Math alternatives.

For more detailed information about this program and specific admission requirements, see the Academic Calendar.

Academic Calendar

Our Teaching Staff

Camosun College is fiercely proud of the excellent quality of its instruction. Our teaching staff are experienced, inspiring and supportive of our students’ individual journeys.

Jamie McPherson

Chair, Plumbing and Pipe Trades; Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jamie started his career in the piping trades back in 1987 when he started a sprinkler fitting apprenticeship. Af ... Read more

Darren Vaux

Program Leader, Plumbing and Pipe Trades,

Originally from the Cowichan Valley, Darren relocated to Victoria after learning his trade in the high-rise construction market in Vancouver during th ... Read more

Robert Archer

Instructor, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Rob served three apprenticeships in Ontario; Refrigeration Air Conditioning Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker, and Electrician. Not only did he earn his Re ... Read more