Make becoming a journeyperson the next step in your Refrigeration and Air Conditioning career.

Fulfills the in class requirement for your apprenticeship; prepares you to work as a skilled technician after writing the exam for your Red Seal Certification to work across Canada
Air conditioning and refrigeration technicians may hold other trade licenses, such as a Certificate of Qualification as a Gas Technician, to be more employable and multi-faceted
24 week program divided into three 8-week sessions where you attend class/labs for 30 hours per week then return to work for 8-12 months

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

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Schedule

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Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Certificate (24 Weeks)

Program Delivery

View delivery information

Program Code

0500X01FWO

Area of Interest

Construction and Skilled Trades

School

Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

Campus

Ottawa

Applicants to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Techniques - Apprenticeship Algonquin College Certificate program must:...(read more)

Overview

Make becoming a journeyperson the next step in your Refrigeration and Air Conditioning career.

Applicants to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Techniques - Apprenticeship Algonquin College Certificate program must:

be currently employed in the trade
be formally registered as apprentices with Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD)
have avalid Offer of Classroom Training from the MLTSD that includes your Ministry Client ID and approved Class Number

Eligibility is determined by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Techniques - Apprenticeship trade is a compulsory trade in Ontario and requires Certification. To practice outside of Ontario, a Red Seal Endorsement is required. Typically, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics may hold other trade licenses, such as a Certificate of Qualification as a Gas Technician.

To learn more about apprenticeships, visit www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades for detailed information.

For Registered Apprentices: This 24-week program fulfills the in-class requirements for your apprenticeship. The overall program is divided into three 8-week sessions where you attend class and labs for 30 hours per week and then return to work to further your skills and experience for 8 to 12 months.

During your labs you learn about:

thermodynamics
heat transfer
fluid mechanics
thermofluids
psychrometrics
electromagnetism
mechanical cooling cycles and components
electricity and installation procedures
pneumatics
hydronics
construction health and safety

At the end of this program, you qualify to write the exam to receive your federal Red Seal Certification to work across Canada in the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic trade and your Certificate of Qualification to work in Ontario. Once qualified, you can enter the industry as a journeyperson.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

Enjoy working with their hands, constructing and repairing mechanical and electrical equipment.
Have good spatial comprehension and mechanical aptitude.
Have an aptitude for math and applied science.
Have strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
Enjoy logic based decision making.
Are willing to work at heights, in confined spaces and out-of-doors in all conditions.
Can work independently.
Seek variety in their career.
Enjoy challenges, problem solving and innovation.
Enjoy working in a commercial or industrial environment.

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

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Level 01

Code

Course Name & Description

Hours

Code:

ACR1410

Course Name:

Introduction to Electricity and Controls for AC and R

Course Description:

Electricity forms the power source and control method of a typical air conditioning and refrigeration (AC and R) system. The apprentice lear... + Read More

Hours:

72.0

Code:

ACR1412

Course Name:

AC and R System Operation and Components

Course Description:

The complexity of installing and servicing ACR systems requires an understanding of the four crucial mechanical components and a multitude o... + Read More

Hours:

72.0

Code:

ACR1413

Course Name:

AC and R Piping Installation

Course Description:

Brazing and soldering are the common techniques for installing and modifying flow components and piping in ACR systems. The apprentice learn... + Read More

Hours:

48.0

Code:

ACR1711

Course Name:

AC and R System Installation and Maintenance

Course Description:

Service and installation skills are foundational to a career in ACR. Environmental issues related to trade, codes, acts and regulations are ... + Read More

Hours:

48.0

Level 02

Code

Course Name & Description

Hours

Code:

ACR1420

Course Name:

Electricity and Controls for AC and R Systems

Course Description:

Troubleshooting and repair in the field of ACR requires an in-depth knowledge of electrical principles and application. The apprentices lear... + Read More

Hours:

72.0

Code:

ACR1421

Course Name:

AC and R Science and Blueprints

Course Description:

A skilled tradesperson working in the ACR field must be able to select and verify the application and capacity of equipment. Conditions and... + Read More

Hours:

48.0

Code:

ACR1422

Course Name:

Installation of AC and R Systems and Components

Course Description:

Proper techniques are critical to a high quality ACR installation. Apprentices learn high level skills in the installation of major and mino... + Read More

Hours:

120.0

Level 03

Code

Course Name & Description

Hours

Code:

ACR1430

Course Name:

Electricity and Electronics for HVAC

Course Description:

Electricity and its various applications, through either electrical, electro-mechanical or electronic methods is central to every ACR system... + Read More

Hours:

96.0

Code:

ACR1431

Course Name:

HVACR Systems and Thermofluids

Course Description:

Understanding the science behind the common term "air conditioning" requires an understanding of the principles involved in heat transfer an... + Read More

Hours:

96.0

Code:

ACR1432

Course Name:

HVACR Design, Distribution and Blueprints

Course Description:

The ability to examine a schematic, diagram, drawing, plan or blueprint, and quickly ascertain the location and specifications of equipment,... + Read More

Hours:

48.0

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Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates are apprentices and mechanics employed as building systems and/or field service technicians, installers, designers, consultants, entrepreneurs, sales representatives, and parts counter clerks with a variety of employers, such as residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning and refrigeration contractors, subcontractors, engineering and design firms, research labs and museums, manufacturers, and government agencies and public utilities. It is very common for air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics to hold other trade licenses, specifically a Certificate of Qualification as a gas technician.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

View all Algonquin College pathways

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ablity to:

Relate effectively to refrigeration and air conditioning supervisors, coworkers, and customers.
Work safely and in accordance with all applicable acts, regulations, legislation, and codes to ensure personal and public safety.
Solve routine refrigeration and air conditioning problems and perform calculations by applying the fundamentals of mathematics and physics.
Read, develop, and interpret various drawings and utilize the information to follow the proper sequence of operations for refrigeration, air conditioning systems, and associated components.
Assist in the installation and start-up operations of refrigeration and air conditioning systems under the supervision of a certified technician.
Identify strategies for ongoing personal and professional development, that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and keep pace with industry changes.
Identify various cooling system mechanical and electrical failures as related to cooling or heating cooling combination systems in residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional settings.
Select and use refrigeration and air conditioning hand tools and operate and test equipment for their intended purposes.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2024/2025 Academic Year

Tuition Fees: $400 per level.

Incidental Fee: $150 per level.

Information Technology Fee: $43.86 per level.

Apprentices are responsible for supplying their own textbooks as required. Books and supplies can be purchased at the campus store. Expenses total approximately $1000 for each in-school level.

Students are responsible for parking and locker fees, if applicable.

All students are responsible to supply their own personal protective equipment (such as CSA-approved safety footwear, non-tinted protective eyewear, hearing protection, gloves, hard hat, fire-resistant coveralls) as required in each lab environment.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

Select the Academic Year:

Admissions Next Steps

College Eligibility

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).

Program Eligibility

Prospective students must be registered apprentices with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and must be a member in good standing with Skilled Trades Ontario (STO).
Eligibility is determined by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

Application Information