Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic Course Provides Practical Application

  • Added:
    May 14, 2013
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    1740
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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic Course Provides Practical Application Photo by Jason White

As the weather cools off, we switch form thinking about our air conditioning units to our heating units and although they are vastly different, they have one thing in common. Both are installed and repaired by an experienced Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic. If you have an interest in becoming such a technician, you must take the appropriate training, which not only teaches you to know how each unit operates inside and out, but also to be an analytical and strong communicator, since you need to be able to prevent and diagnose issues as well as explain discoveries to customers. Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics often have to lift and move heavy units and should have strength and stamina.

At Centennial College, the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic - Mechanical Engineering Technician program enables students to train as apprentices in refrigeration and air conditioning trade while obtaining a two-year post secondary engineering technician diploma in the mechanical field. To apply, interested parties must have completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), GED or equivalent; English Grade 12 C or U or equivalent, or skills assessment; and Math Grade 11 M, C or U or Grade 12 M, C or U, or equivalent, or skills assessment. Please note that applicants may also be asked to submit a questionnaire, resume and references to determine apprenticeship employability.

Once they have applied and are accepted, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic students spend eight months of the program time in a co-op placement arranged by the college. The hours earned during the co-op placement are counted towards the practical part of apprenticeship training. Please note, time spent in co-op is compensated. Meanwhile, the rest of the time is spent at Centennial College's Progress Campus.

During on-campus time, students attend Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic courses that teach them engineering sciences and skills. Among topics covered in the offering are: machine shop operation, tool design, computer-assisted drafting and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), building and testing of equipment as used in the refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic industry. To ensure that Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic students retain what they learn, they are exposed to both theoretical and laboratory experiences, which include industry-current design software. Additionally, the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic program takes pride in employing a project approach to learning, which simulates actual workplace assignments.

Among the specific air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic courses included in this offering are: Ethics in Technology and the Environment, Refrigeration Fundamentals, Cooling Cycles Fundamentals, Cooling Cycle and Accessories, Mechanical Drawing and Prints, System Design and Installation and more.

Author's Profile

Emma is the author of this piece in which she details the training methods and possible learning outcomes of Centennial College's refrigeration mechanic course in Canada.


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