Refrigeration and air conditioning engineer £20,000 + per year Refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) engineers design, install and maintain cooling systems in buildings like supermarkets, offices, schools, hospitals and food processing plants. As an RAC engineer, you would need good practical skills, the ability to follow technical instructions and an understanding of safe working practices. If you want a varied job, working at different locations, and one which helps to develop sustainable green energy, then this could be the career for you. A common route into this career is to take an Apprenticeship scheme. You would also need certification to prove you can work with the fluorinated gases (F gases) used in the industry. As a refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) engineer, your work could cover one of two broad areas: refrigeration – designing, installing and maintaining cooling systems in places like supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, food processing plants and factories

air-conditioning – installing and servicing the systems that control air quality, temperature and humidity inside offices, schools, leisure complexes and other modern buildings. Whichever area you work in, your duties could include: surveying buildings where cooling systems are to be fitted discussing requirements with customers producing quotes for workhow can i tell if my ac unit is frozen designing and installing systemsclean window ac unit filter running quality checks to make sure systems are working properly and safelyaverage cost of replacing air conditioning unit diagnosing and fixing faults carrying out planned maintenance. In this industry you would be at the forefront of protecting the environment.

You would work with renewable energy technologies to improve energy efficiency, and special types of gas that don’t harm the ozone layer. You would also advise customers on how to reduce their energy consumption. You would normally work from 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may also be on a rota for out-of-hours emergency work, which could include evenings and weekends. You would travel from one job to the next in your local or regional area but if you work for a big national company, you may have to work away from home at certain times. You would work in all types of buildings, for example supermarkets, hospitals or shopping centres. Depending on what type of work you specialise in, you might also work on construction sites, which could be dusty and cold. Some work may be in cramped and uncomfortable conditions in order to access air conditioning and refrigeration units. Trainees can earn between £11,000 and £19,000 a year, depending on the stage of training.

Newly-qualified workers may earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a year. Experienced workers with supervisory duties may earn from £26,000 to £35,000 a year. Some employers pay more, and you might get bonuses and overtime pay. There are national set rates that will cover your travelling time, travel expenses and accommodation costs. Figures are intended as a guideline only. Most people start as an apprentice from school or college and train on the job. Apprenticeships give you the knowledge and skills you need to work effectively and professionally. Generally, training will take between two and four years to complete, depending on the Apprenticeship scheme. There may also be a limited number of Apprenticeship schemes for people aged over 25. Check with employers and the Apprenticeships website for more information about schemes. If you are not already working or training in the industry, you may be able to take a college course, which would give you some of the knowledge and skills needed to help find a trainee job.

Level 1 Certificate in Introduction to Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Skills Level 2 Diploma in Access to Building Services Engineering Level 2 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems. Check with your local college to find out what courses they offer. You may need a driving licence for some jobs. You can find more details about this career and training providers on the websites for the Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) - Careers in Cooling, the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB) and SummitSkills. IoR - Careers in Cooling As a trainee your company would put you through training and you would work towards an industry qualification, for instance: Level 2 Diploma in Refrigeration/Air-conditioning Equipment Engineering Technology Level 2/3 (NVQ) Diploma in Servicing and Maintaining Refrigeration Systems Level 3 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems Level 3 (NVQ) Certificate in Installing and Commissioning Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems.

With experience you may move on to take further professional development training, such as: Level 3 Certificate in Ammonia Refrigeration Systems Installation and Commissioning Level 3 Certificate in Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Refrigeration Systems Service and Maintenance. If you work with fluorinated gases (F gases) or ozone depleting substances (ODS), you are legally required to have minimum qualifications to prove that you are competent to do so. The City & Guilds (2079) Level 2 Award in F-Gas and ODS Regulations is accepted as proof. Some of the above qualifications include this Award as part of the training. Check this with course providers. You could continue your professional development by taking a foundation degree, HNC, HND or degree in building services engineering. You can search for courses on the UCAS website. The Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) offers a membership scheme at various grades. Membership would allow you access to a variety of professional development workshops and training courses.

See the IoR website for more details. Institute of Refrigeration (IoR) Skills, interests and qualities As an RAC engineer, you'll need: the ability to follow technical drawings, building plans and other instructions a careful and methodical approach to work the ability to make accurate measurements a head for heights and be prepared to work in all sorts of weather a willingness to work in confined spaces a presentable and pleasant manner good written and verbal communication skills good teamworking skills and the ability to work on your own initiative a willingness to adapt to change Most large companies have a formal progression structure. If you work for one of these companies you may have the chance to take on more important projects and managerial responsibilities as you progress and gain experience. You could also have the chance to move into design consultancy, teaching or there’s even the potential to run your own business.

Once you are fully qualified there are also opportunities for you to work abroad, particularly in places like the USA, far east and Australia. You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading: UK Jobs Network - Engineering Building & Engineering Services Association (companies search) ​ Job market information This section gives you an overview of the job area that this profile belongs to. You can use it to work out your next career move. It can help if you’re looking for a job now or want to do some further training. The 'Market statistics' charts are based on figures from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The list of job vacancies under 'Apply for jobs' is from the Universal Jobmatch database. The vacancies are not from the National Careers Service. Median income: Skilled trades Working pattern: Skilled trades Gaps in sector due to skills shortages: Skilled trades