Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.
Apprenticeship Education Program
Apprenticeship blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning, so you can build skills, knowledge, and a career all at once.
- Advanced Diploma
- Journeyperson Certificate
- Red Seal Endorsement (optional)
- 4 periods (levels)
- All periods:
- 1560 hours work experience per period
- 8 weeks classroom instruction per period
- Theory exam required
- Each period designed to take ~1 year
- Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
- 8 weeks in all periods
- Offered at NAIT and SAIT
- Entrance requirements:
- English 30-2, Math 30-3, and Physics 20 or Chemistry 20
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
- 1560 hours in all periods
- Sponsorship agreement required to earn hours.
- Must be completed with a qualified mentor.
- Demonstrate competence in activities outlined in the record book to receive credit.
- Theory exam required to complete each period
- Red Seal exam option in final period
Trades Qualifier Program
If you have experience in the trade without an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, the Trades Qualifier Program is your pathway to qualify.
- Complete 72 months and 9360 hours of verifiable Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic work experience.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).
Applicants holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward these requirements (see Related Trade Certificates for the Apprenticeship Education Program above).
- Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
- Pass a theory exam.
Employment in the Trade
As a designated trade under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, employed individuals or those employing tradespeople must meet certain regulated standards.
- Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
- To perform restricted activities, you must be:
- a registered apprentice or
- a certified journeyperson or
- hold a recognized trade certificate.
- Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (2:1).
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 50%
- Period 2: 60%
- Period 3: 75%
- Period 4: 85%
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside of Alberta, you are authorized to work in the full scope of the trade in Alberta.
- You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.