Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics install, maintain and service residential, commercial, industrial and institutional heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration units and systems.

Level 1: 6 weeks
Level 2: 7 weeks
Level 3: 10 weeks
Level 4: 10 weeks

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Refrigeration and Air Conditioning student uses digital instruments to measure the operation of an AC unit
Program details
Admission requirements
Financial incentives
Contact
Apply to OC

Campus

  • Kelowna
  • Penticton
View training schedule
Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Apprenticeship

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

Tuition and fees depend on the level of study being completed by the apprentice.

Program details

Level 1 Program Outline
  • trades math
  • safety
  • welding and brazing
  • basic work skills
  • drafting skills
  • hand, power and measuring tools
  • introduction to computers
  • apply basic electrical concepts
  • use electrical wiring schematics
  • apply single phase motor theory
  • apply proper piping practices
  • fundamentals of refrigeration
  • refrigeration system cycles
  • refrigeration system components
Textbooks

The current total cost of the textbooks is approx. $1265.

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

Textbooks available online only at the .

The booklists on OC Campus Store website will be updated 3 times a year (January, April and mid-August).
Please check back with the Campus Store 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

If you have any questions regarding the booklist, please call OC Campus Store, 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

Required supplies
  • Appropriate non-offensive clothing (no shorts, sandals, etc.)
  • Coveralls (optional)
  • CSA approved work boots (steel toed)
  • Safety glasses
  • Geometry set
  • Binder
  • Clean rags (optional)
  • Pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters
  • One of the following: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X calculator to write IP Exam

Government-issued picture ID (driver’s license, photo ID or valid passport) is required to write the provincial and national exams; student ID cards are not acceptable. 

Important information
  • Tools for the program are provided by the College. Students who wish to purchase their own tools are encouraged to consult with their instructor who can provide a basic guide to the minimum tools that will be needed for employment in the Refrigeration trade.
  • It is a requirement that you have your CFC Emissions certification for your trade. While attending your technical training, we will cover this curriculum in class and we will administer the exam in class. As a student at À¦°óSM, the cost of the exam is $90.
Level 2 Program outline:
  • B52-Code L2
  • air measurement tools
  • computerized refrigeration load calculations
  • transformers, proportional control
  • theory and protection of single phase motors
  • three phase motor theory
  • heat transfer and insulation
  • refrigeration system cycles
  • food storage fundamentals
  • air conditioning fundamentals
  • refrigeration system components
Textbooks

The current total cost of the textbooks is approx. $1180.

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

Textbooks available online only at the .

The booklists on OC Campus Store website will be updated 3 times a year (January, April and mid-August).
Please check back with the Campus Store 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

If you have any questions regarding the booklist, please call OC Campus Store, 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

Required supplies
  • Appropriate non-offensive clothing (no shorts, sandals, etc.)
  • Coveralls (optional)
  • CSA-approved steel toed work boots
  • Safety glasses
  • Geometry set
  • Binder
  • Clean rags (optional)
  • Pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters
  • calculator to write the IP exam, preferably one of: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X

Government-issued picture ID (driver’s license, photo ID or valid passport) is required to write the provincial and national exams; student ID cards are not acceptable. 

Important information
  • Tools for the program are provided by the College. Students who wish to purchase their own tools are encouraged to consult with their instructor who can provide a basic guide to the minimum tools that will be needed for employment in the Refrigeration trade.
Level 3 Program Outline
  • B52-Code-L3
  • system start up procedures
  • perform air measurements
  • computers and DDC control systems
  • single phase motor protection and service
  • refrigerant pipe sizing
  • hydronics, capacity control and dehydration
  • refrigeration system cycles
  • air conditioning loads, psychrometrics, fan system
  • refrigeration system components
  • gas-fired systems, appliances and equipment
Textbooks

The current total cost of the textbooks is approx. $405.

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

Textbooks available online only at the .

The booklists on OC Campus Store website will be updated 3 times a year (January, April and mid-August).
Please check back with the Campus Store 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

If you have any questions regarding the booklist, please call OC Campus Store, 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

Required supplies
  • Appropriate non-offensive clothing (no shorts, sandals, etc.)
  • Coveralls (optional)
  • CSA approved work boots (steel toed)
  • Safety glasses
  • Geometry set
  • Binder
  • Clean rags (optional)
  • Pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters
  • One of the following: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X calculator to write IP Exam

Government-issued picture ID (driver’s license, photo ID or valid passport) is required to write the provincial and national exams; student ID cards are not acceptable. 

Important information:

Tools for the program are provided by the College. Students who wish to purchase their own tools are encouraged to consult with their instructor who can provide a basic guide to the minimum tools that will be needed for employment in the Refrigeration trade.

Level 4 Program Outline
  • B52 Code—L4
  • integrated controls
  • proportional control
  • Canadian Electrical Code
  • troubleshoot electrical circuits
  • three phase motor starters
  • semi-conductor concepts
  • code requirements for piping
  • electric, electronic and pneumatic controls
  • capacity control of refrigeration system
  • refrigeration system cycles
  • fan systems and heat exchanges
  • refrigeration system components
  • natural gas theory
  • gas-fired systems, appliances and equipment
Textbooks

The current total cost of the textbooks is approx. $455.

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

Textbooks available online only at the .

The booklists on OC Campus Store website will be updated 3 times a year (January, April and mid-August).
Please check back with the Campus Store 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

If you have any questions regarding the booklist, please call OC Campus Store, 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

Required supplies
  • Appropriate non-offensive clothing (no shorts, sandals, etc.)
  • Coveralls (optional)
  • CSA-approved steel toed work boots
  • Safety glasses
  • Geometry set
  • Binder
  • Clean rags (optional)
  • Pencils, pens, erasers, highlighters
  • One of the following: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X calculator to write IP Exam

Government-issued picture ID (driver’s license, photo ID or valid passport) is required to write the provincial and national exams; student ID cards are not acceptable. 

Important information:
  • There is an additional cost to write the BC Gasfitter Level "B" Certification - approximately $355.95 payable to the BC Safety Authority (not run through À¦°óSM). Students are required to have their Skilled Trades BC apprenticeship card in order to make application for this exam. Please bring your card in on the first day of class.
Requirements - Class B Exam
  • Be a Skilled Trades BC registered apprentice in plumbing, steamfitting or refrigeration mechanic
  • Successfully completed all 4 levels of technical training* with a minimum of 3 years workplace hours achieved, indicated by transcript or the minimum of:
    • Plumbing: 4,815 hours
    • Steamfitting: 4,215 hours
    • Refrigeration Mechanic: 5,415 hours
  • Tools for the program are provided by the College. Students who wish to purchase their own tools are encouraged to consult with their instructor who can provide a basic guide to the minimum tools that will be needed for employment in the Refrigeration trade.

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at . If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

RefrigerationAndAirConditioningMechanicApprenticeship

Admission requirements

  • Registered as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC.
  • Must be working for an employer with at least one qualified journeyperson.
  • Not registered as an apprentice? Ask your employer to register you as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC. It’s free, simple, and can be completed within a few minutes online. More details can be found at

Financial Incentives

The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant provides direct support to apprentices in the first two years of an approved apprenticeship training program (Red Seal trades). The taxable grant is $1,000 for Level 1 and $1,000 for Level 2. This grant is only available after you have completed the specified level of technical training and have a specific number of work-based hours on your SkilledTradesBC transcript.

Please note this benefit will end March 31, 2025 – all students who complete their technical training and work-based hours before this date may still apply until March 31, even without receipt of their Confirmation of Progression letter from STBC.

The Apprenticeship Completion Grant is a $2,000 taxable cash grant for apprentices who complete their apprenticeship training and obtain Red Seal endorsement or a provincial/territorial certificate of qualification in a designated Red Seal trade.

Please note this benefit will end March 31, 2025 – all students who complete their technical training and work-based hours before this date may still apply until March 31, even without receipt of their Confirmation of Progression letter from STBC.

WorkBC Apprenticeship Supports

Apprentice financial supports are available to eligible apprentices while they’re completing their classroom apprenticeship training. Apprentices may be able for supports which cover costs such as child card, transportation, disability, and more. Once an apprentice , a 16-digit reference code will be emailed to them. Use the 16-digit reference code for the Service Canada EI application. 

Service Canada EI Application

Apprentices attending full-time technical training (sometimes referred to as block-release training), they may be eligible to receive Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while unemployed and attending your course. Refer to the .

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program who meet the eligibility requirements may receive up to $4,000 in loans per period of technical training. The purpose of the CAL is to provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with loans to assist with the costs to attend technical training.

The LNG Canada Trades Training Fund supports small and medium employers that employ, sponsor and train apprentices in Northwest BC.  To be eligible to apply for funding support, the employer and student need to be a resident of Northwest BC (Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, and surrounding areas of Highway 16 to Houston, BC).  Applications to the Trades Training Fund can be made by employers with business operations in Northwest BC on behalf of their apprentices and must be received one month prior to the class start.

The federal government will now provide tax recognition for the costs that many employed tradespeople incur to provide their own tools in their employment duties. A deduction (up to a maximum of $500/year) will be allowed for the total cost of new tools acquired by an employed tradesperson in a tax year in excess of $1000. Employer will need to certify that the employee is required to obtain those tools for use in employment activities.

Apprentices who complete their third and four year of any apprenticeship program may be eligible for a tax credit. The apprentice will receive the tax credit when they file their annual income taxes. Apprentices will be eligible for a tax credit of $2,000 for completing Level 3 and a credit for $2,500 for completing Level 4 of any apprenticeship. For more information visit www.sbr.gov.bc.ca. 

Your T2202A tax form is available online via myOkanagan on the last day of February.
To access your tax form:

  1. Login to
  2. Username: firstname.lastname@myokanagan.bc.ca
  3. Password: birthdate (mmddyyyy) (you will be asked to update your password the first time you login)
  4. Click the "T2202A Tax Form" link under Online Services

If you have any problems accessing your myOkanagan account, please call IT Services at 1-866-839-4032 or complete an online myOkanagan .

Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

Ask

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Register

Register with SkilledTradesBC prior to applying to an apprenticeship program.

Apply

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Apply to OC
Trades and Apprenticeship
Address

T115 - 1000 KLO Rd.
Kelowna BC V1Y 4X8
Canada

Phone
(1250) 862-5457
(1800) 621-3038
Email
trades@okanagan.bc.ca
Office Hours
Sunday: Closed
Monday - Friday: 7:30-4:00
Saturday: Closed