Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic is a compulsory trade in BC with a small number of public schools. Here is the route and where seats are.
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain and repair residential central air, commercial and industrial refrigeration, and combined heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (SkilledTradesBC). Heat pumps and building controls make this one of the more technical trades on the list.
| Levels | Foundation, then Apprenticeship Levels 1–4 |
|---|---|
| Technical training (school) | 33 weeks over 4 years |
| Work-based training (on the job) | 6,210 hours |
| Certification | Red Seal |
| Compulsory in BC? | Yes |
This is a compulsory trade in BC. SkilledTradesBC lists it as a Skilled Trades Certification trade: to work in it you must be a registered apprentice, a certified journeyperson, or have applied as a Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker (SkilledTradesBC). Read the Skilled Trades Certification rules before you take paid work.
Only a handful of public schools teach this trade, so foundation seats can be scarce. Check the seat finder before you plan a start date.
Fees as each school publishes them.
| School and campuses | Program (type, SkilledTradesBC program) | Length | Next intakes / seats | Tuition and fees (as published) | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BBY - Burnaby | Refrigeration Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 6–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Jan 4, 2027 (BBY - Burnaby, Level 1): Closed; Jan 4, 2027 (BBY - Burnaby, Level 3): Closed; Feb 16, 2027 (BBY - Burnaby, Level 3): Closed (TTBC schedule) | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BBY - Burnaby | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 26–88 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Not published | Books & supplies / $846 (general estimated cost, and subject to change) (source) | Program page |
| Refrigeration Training Institute Surrey Private; SkilledTradesBC-approved (list) | RTIA Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not published | Not published | Not published; check with the school | Program page |
| Vancouver Community College Vancouver | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 25–29 weeks (varies by intake/level) | January 2027 (Vancouver); September 2027 (Vancouver) (school page, checked Oct 8, 2026; source) | Tuition: $10,893* Application fee / $36 Tuition / $10,893 Student union / $148 College initiative / $113 Campus resource / $218 … (source) | Program page |
| School and campuses | Program (type, SkilledTradesBC program) | Length | Next intakes / seats | Tuition and fees (as published) | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camosun College Interurban | Plumbing and Pipe Trades Apprenticeships Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 6–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Nov 2, 2026 (Interurban, Level 2): Closed; Jan 4, 2027 (Interurban, Level 4): Closed; Mar 22, 2027 (Interurban, Level 3): Closed +1 more (TTBC schedule) | Gasfitter Apprenticeship / $1,157.50 Level 1 Gasfitter Apprenticeship / $1,157.50 Level 2 Plumbing Apprenticeship / $810.25 Level 1 Plumbing Apprenticeship / $926.00 Level 2 $1,041.75 Level 2 + Gap $810.25 Level 3 … (source) | Program page |
| Camosun College Interurban | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation, Certificate Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 32 weeks | Not published | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation, Certificate / $3,577 (domestic) (source) | Program page |
| Vancouver Island University Cowichan, Nanaimo | Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3 | 6–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Nov 2, 2026 (Nanaimo, Level 2): Limited/WL; Jan 4, 2027 (Nanaimo, Level 3): Open; Mar 22, 2027 (Nanaimo, Level 3): Open (TTBC schedule) | Amount / Tuition (7 months x $519.36 per month) 3,635.52 / Student Activity fee (7 months x $20.78 per month) 145.46 / Student Services fee (7 months x $22.94 per month) 160.58 / VIU Students' Union fee (7 months x $19.15 per month) 134.05 / Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) (source) | Program page |
| Vancouver Island University Cowichan, Nanaimo | Refrigeration Air-Conditioning Mechanic Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 25–34 weeks (varies by intake/level) | January 2027 (Nanaimo): Full; September 2027 (Nanaimo): Full; January 2028 (Nanaimo): Full; September 2028 (Nanaimo): Full (school page, checked Oct 8, 2026; source) | Amount / Tuition (7 months x $519.36 per month) 3,635.52 / Student Activity fee (7 months x $20.78 per month) 145.46 / Student Services fee (7 months x $22.94 per month) 160.58 / VIU Students' Union fee (7 months x $19.15 per month) 134.05 / Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) (source) | Program page |
| School and campuses | Program (type, SkilledTradesBC program) | Length | Next intakes / seats | Tuition and fees (as published) | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Okanagan College 1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC, Duncan Ave. Penticton | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 5–9 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Jan 4, 2027 (1000 K.L.O. Rd. Kelowna, BC, Level 4): Limited/WL; Mar 1, 2027 (Duncan Ave. Penticton, Level 4): Open; Mar 15, 2027 (Duncan Ave. Penticton, Level 3): Limited/WL (TTBC schedule) | Domestic students / $962 - $1,675 estimated cost per level Estimated cost per level / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $962 - $1,675 Estimated cost per level / Vernon: $974 - $1,618 Domestic students / $962 - $1,675 Collapse all / Level 1 - estimate: $962 Tuition / $790 … (source) | Program page |
| Okanagan College Duncan Ave. Penticton, Vernon, BC | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 24–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Jan 26, 2027 (Duncan Ave. Penticton): Closed; Feb 1, 2027 (Vernon, BC): Closed (TTBC schedule) | Domestic students / $4,612 estimated total program cost Estimated first-year cost / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,612 Estimated total program cost / Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm: $4,612 Domestic students / $4,612 Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm / Year 1 Term - estimate: $4,612 Tuition / $3,285 … (source) | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Kamloops | Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic (HVAC Technician) Apprentice levels · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 | 5–10 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Seats/intake not published by the school. SkilledTradesBC schedule lists: Nov 2, 2026 (Kamloops, Level 2): Closed; Nov 9, 2026 (Kamloops, Level 1): Closed; Jan 4, 2027 (Kamloops, Level 3): Closed +6 more (TTBC schedule) | FoundationTuition / $3,804.64 Student and lab fees / $1,126.78 Learning guides and/or textbooks / $775.00 Health and Dental Plan / $248.00 Safety Gear: Clear safety glasses, CSA work boots / $200.00 Total / $6,154.42 … (source) | Program page |
| Thompson Rivers University Kamloops | Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic (HVAC Technician) Foundation · Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic — Foundation | 25–26 weeks (varies by intake/level) | Feb 8, 2027 (Kamloops): Waitlist; Jul 26, 2027 (Kamloops): Limited Space; Jan 31, 2028 (Kamloops): Available (school page, checked Oct 8, 2026; source) | FoundationTuition / $3,804.64 Student and lab fees / $1,126.78 Learning guides and/or textbooks / $775.00 Health and Dental Plan / $248.00 Safety Gear: Clear safety glasses, CSA work boots / $200.00 Total / $6,154.42 … (source) | Program page |
Find a sponsor (usually an employer), register together on the SkilledTradesBC Portal, then complete 33 weeks of school and 6,210 work hours and pass the certification exam (70% pass mark, up to 4 attempts). A foundation program is optional and can count toward Level 1. Full walkthrough: how to register an apprenticeship; rules from SkilledTradesBC.
Foundation (optional)Usually a few months full-time. The length is on each school’s page in the table above.
Apprenticeship33 weeks of technical training spread over 4 years, in blocks of school between work periods
Work-based training6,210 hours with your sponsor
CertificationExam with a 70% pass mark and up to 4 attempts. Trade Qualifiers must pass within 24 months of approval.
Program length per SkilledTradesBC trade pages. Exam rules per SkilledTradesBC.
Published school fees, usually without tools or student fees.
| Item | Published amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Books and supplies · British Columbia Institute of Technology | Books & supplies: $846 (general estimated cost, and subject to change) | school page |
| Foundation program · Camosun College | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation, Certificate: $3,577 (domestic) | school page |
| One apprentice level · Okanagan College | Domestic students: $962 - $1,675 estimated cost per level | school page |
| Foundation program · Okanagan College | Domestic students: $4,612 estimated total program cost | school page |
| One apprentice level · Thompson Rivers University | FoundationTuition: $3,804.64 | school page |
| Foundation program · Thompson Rivers University | FoundationTuition: $3,804.64 | school page |
| Certification exam as a Trade Qualifier (challengers only) | $120 application, which includes your first attempt. The 2nd attempt is free; the 3rd and 4th cost $100 each. | SkilledTradesBC |
Job Bank wages for Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics in British Columbia (2023–2024 reference period; Job Bank wage report). Journeyperson ranges, not apprentice pay. See also BC trades salaries.
EI, loans, grants and tool deductions for apprentices: apprentice funding in BC.
No. A foundation program is optional. You can register as a Level 1 apprentice once you have a sponsor. Foundation programs can make you easier to hire and usually count toward Level 1.
Yes, it is one of BC's 7 compulsory trades, and an employer can supervise at most 2 apprentices per journeyperson. The rules are summarized near the top of this page.
Possibly, as a Trade Qualifier ($120, see the cost table). With less experience you can challenge a level exam instead.
Usually, yes, if you are eligible for EI. Apply for WorkBC Apprentice Services up to 4 weeks before your training starts to get the reference code you need for the EI claim.
SkilledTradesBC lists 33 weeks of technical training over 4 years and 6,210 work-based hours. A foundation program adds time at the start, but it may count toward Level 1.
This page relies on the official pages below. Rules, fees and processes change, so check the authority before you apply or spend money.
Links checked November 1, 2026. Found an error or a broken link? Report it.