Starting your career

Refrigeration and air conditioning is vital in today's world, it is used in everything from manufacturing to medicine, and this vast technology needs engineers to develop, research and repair it.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider joining the highly skilled work force employed in this ever evolving industry.

• This is an interesting place to be- environmental and technical developments are driving the industry to change
• Your job will never be dull or unchallenging, you will meet new people and new problems with every new job or project
• Thoughout your working life you will learn new techniques and practices, continually improving your knowledge and skills
• Your job will give you a sense of achievement- you could be designing, installing or fixing massive systems worth many thousands of pounds
• There is a shortage of skilled engineers so most employers will invest in you, your training and your future

There are many benefits that come with being an engineer

• The potential to earn a good salary
• Structured training and development leading to recognised qualifications
• A skill that is always in demand and that can be used around the world
• Good career prospects
• Real job satisfaction
• You can have a rewarding career where no two days are the same

Once you have decided that refrigeration and air conditioning is the career for you there are two main routes into the industry; modern apprenticeships and building services engineering degrees.

Apprenticeships

For those of a practical nature or individuals wishing to 'earn as you learn'  modern apprenticeships in refrigeration and air conditioning are available. An apprenticeship is a combination of on the job training and part time college education. It is a good starting point for those wishing to become servicing, installation or commissioning engineers.

During an apprenticeship you work towards achieving a NVQs/SVQs and gaining practical and technical skills. The foundation apprenticeship can take up to 2 years to complete and requires the achievement of NVQ/SVQ level 2, a technical certificate level 2 and the appropriate key skills. Once this has been achieved you will be able to work confidently and skillfully within the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. After the foundation modern apprenticeship has been completed it is possible to progress to an advanced modern apprenticeship, which can offer a route into technical, supervisory or junior management roles and can also be used as a qualification to higher education.

Click here to see a list of training providers offering NVQs/SVQs in refrigeration and air conditioning.

If you would like to see how apprenticeship training is structured please click here.

Further information about modern apprenticeships can be found at

 www.goodday.org.uk  www.best-ltd.co.uk www.apprenticeships.org.uk  www.acrib.org.uk

Degree level entry

For individuals wishing to embark on a career in refrigeration and air conditioning research and development or design it usual to obtain a degree in engineering. As there are no specific refrigeration and air conditioning degrees available in the UK most successful applicants have either mechanical engineering or building services engineering degree.

There are a number of universities with specialty in refrigeration such as London South Bank, Brunel, the University of Warwick and the University of Ulster to name but a few. These and other universities are part of the SIRAC network, which actively works to promote and improve energy efficiency and sustainability in refrigeration and air conditioning. A list of members and information about exciting new development projects can be found at www.sirac.org.uk. A list of universities offering courses that may lead to a career in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps can be viewed here. 

See what those already involved in the profession think about their careers and the industry.

Bharat Patel is a Refrigeration Engineer involved in the service and maintance of refrigeration systems.

Jolyon Thompson works as an Innovations Manager and is involved in the project to cool the London Underground.

Mike Hayes is an Applications Specialist involved in projects around the world.

Gary McVittie started his career as an apprentice service engineer but with the support of his employeer he has completed a Building services engineering degree and is now employed as a Industrial Refrigeration Design Engineer.