1. Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicians
Have Variety of Responsibilities
Did you know that the job of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technicians
consists of more than just installing cooling and heating systems? These professionals
actually: plan, prepare and lay out systems; install and start up refrigeration and air
cooling systems; install and connect piping that carries all types of refrigerant used for
cooling; maintain, service, repair and replace refrigeration and air cooling systems
components and accessories, including the electrical and electronic components of the
system; service, test, adjust, refrigeration and air cooling systems.
With such a variety of responsibilities, technicians need the right post-secondary
training to ensure their success in the field. At Centennial College’s Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician offering, students train for two years
to ensure that they are prepared. As a result, they obtain an Ontario College Diploma
and graduate with the skills they need to to find employment as heating technicians or
through affiliated trade apprenticeships in plumbing, pipefitting, electrical, sheet metal
or refrigeration. Apprenticeship is required after graduation, for those who wish to
become tradespersons.
During the training, they partake in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses
that emphasize: maintaining, sizing and selecting equipment for air conditioning and
refrigeration application; the development of refrigerants; development of equipment to
meet the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards; efficiency standards for
heating equipment; installation and service techniques; among others.
Due to the very practical nature of the Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning
industry, training is facilitated from Progress Campus, where hospitality programs run a
conference centre, restaurant and more. Such facilities offer ample opportunity for
students to develop skills through hands-on practice. In addition, students partake in a
Capstone Project, which rounds out in-class training. This last-semester project, which
is supervised by a faculty member, encompasses elements of everything the Heating,
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning technician students have learned throughout their
time in the program.
With the world becoming very technology focused and great strides being made in
heating, refrigeration and air conditioning technology, this program prides itself on
offering the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques.
To apply for the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning courses, students are
required to have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older). In addition, they must have
completed English 12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent; and Math 11M or U, or
12C or U, or skills assessment, or equivalent.
Author: Emma
Address: Centennial College, P.O. Box 631, Station A, Toronto M1K 5E9, Ontario, Canada
Tel: 416-289-5000, Email: success@centennialcollege.ca Page 1