Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

NOC

72402

install, maintain and repair residential central air conditioning systems, as well as heating, refrigeration and air conditioning systems in industrial, commercial and mobile transport settings.

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Full NOC Description

Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul residential central air conditioning systems, commercial and industrial refrigeration and air conditioning systems and combined heating, ventilation and cooling systems. They are employed by heating, refrigeration and air conditioning installation contractors, various industrial settings, food wholesalers, engineering firms and retail and servicing establishments. Transport refrigeration mechanics are included in this unit group. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Read and interpret blueprints, drawings or other specifications

Measure and lay out reference points for installation

Assemble and install refrigeration or air conditioning components such as motors, controls, gauges, valves, circulating pumps, condensers, humidifiers, evaporators and compressors using hand and power tools

Measure and cut piping, and connect piping using welding and brazing equipment

Install, troubleshoot and overhaul entire heating, ventilation, air handling, refrigeration and air conditioning systems

Start up system and test for leaks using testing devices

Recharge system with refrigerant, check and test regulators, calibrate system and perform routine maintenance or servicing

Repair and replace parts and components for entire refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation or heat pump systems

May install, maintain and repair equipment in refrigerated trucks used to transport food or medical supplies

May prepare work estimates for clients.

Also Known As

central air conditioning mechanic
commercial air conditioning mechanic
heating and cooling mechanic
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) mechanic
refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic apprentice

refrigeration mechanic

transport refrigeration mechanic

Requirements

Employment Requirements

Completion of secondary school and training courses or a vocational program is usually required.

Completion of a three- to five-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over five years of work experience and industry courses in refrigeration and air conditioning repair is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.

Trade certification for refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta and available, but voluntary, in all other provinces and the territories.

Trade certification for transport refrigeration mechanics is available, but voluntary, in New Brunswick and Alberta.

Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.

Provincial Regulation

Provincially Regulated: Yes
Compulsory: Yes
Red Seal: Yes

Regulation Body

Skilled Trades NB

Employment by Sex

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

3.3%

Female

96.7%

Male

Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

7.8%

15-24

34.4%

25-34

26.7%

35-44

15.6%

45-54

13.3%

55-64

2.2%

65+

Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

1.1%

No Certificate, Diploma or Degree

11.1%

High School, Diploma or Equivalent

37.8%

Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma

50.0%

College or University Below Bachelor Level

0.0%

University - Bachelor Level or Above

Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

80.0%

Construction

N/A

20.0%

All Other Industries

Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

6.70%

Northeast

42.20%

Southeast

13.30%

Southwest

32.20%

Central

5.60%

Northwest

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

N/A

Northeast

$68,000

Southeast

$64,000

Southwest

$62,000

Central

$68,000

Northwest

Economic Regions

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Occupational Profiles