Full-time Certificate of Trades Training 2955ttcert

Fast Track Your Career as an HVAC & R Technician!

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC and R) industry designs, builds, maintains and repairs essential indoor comfort and cooling systems including heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Refrigeration equipment is used in supermarkets, and food processing and cold storage facilities, and sports facilities such as hockey and curling rinks which are also a vital part of the industry. As a result of the expanding markets for refrigeration and air conditioning and changing technology, a dramatic need exists for qualified personnel both at home and abroad. A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic journeyperson fabricates, installs, alters, repairs/services any system used for cooling and/or heating (eg heat pumps) in closed systems that contain a refrigerant or a brine and thermoelectric cooling. This includes piping, controls and electrical work. These workers also connect rooftop units to gas and test and balance systems.

The Program

The HVAC and R Technician certificate is a non co-op program which provides a foundation in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration system design, installation and service. The program is 40 weeks in duration combining classroom and shop instruction. After learning direct refrigeration systems, a broad range of topics focused on HVAC systems design, operation and controls are learned. Emphasis will be placed on diagnosis, service requirements and procedures. Graduates of this program who enter the trade within one year of graduation can expect to receive credit for three levels of technical training for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprenticeship.

Students are encouraged to return to Level 4 apprentice training (8 weeks) when appropriate to receive the Class B Gas training and prepare for the Interprovincial Red Seal certification exam.

Program Entry

Applicants should apply early and ensure their application is complete with all required documentation in order to be considered. Students are accepted on a competitive basis with preference given to applicants with previous post-secondary, work experience and a high score on BCIT’s Mechanical Reasoning Test.

Entrance requirements

  • High school graduation
  • English 12 or Communications 12 or English language proficiency
  • One of the following math requirements:
    • Principles of Mathematics 11 (C)
    • Applications of Mathematics 11 (C)
    • Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11 (C)
    • Foundations of Mathematics 11 (C)
    • Pre-Calculus 11 (C)
  • Applicants must pass a BCIT Mechanical Reasoning test

Note: Applications must be accompanied with an up to date resume detailing relevant work experience and other post-secondary education including dates and timeframes. Applicants are screened and accepted under a competitive entry with preference given to applicants who are deemed to have the best opportunity for success. Weighting will be applied to three things:

  • Work experience in Mechanical / Industrial / Commercial / Customer Service areas;
  • Post-Secondary education or trade specific training;
  • Your score on BCIT’s Mechanical Reasoning Test.

BCIT Trades Pre-entry Test is acceptable for English and math requirements.

Trades Discovery
The Trades Discovery General and Trades Discovery for Women are full-time programs designed to prepare participants to successfully enter and complete a Trades Training program.

BC provincial exams

Provincial exam marks are required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12. BCIT does not require provincial exams for Grade 12 Math and Science courses.

Apply to program

Submit an application: online or by mail [PDF].

You can check the status of your application online at any time using the Student Information System.

Scheduled intakes

October each year.

*Scheduled intakes are subject to change

Application processing

November 15* of the previous year until the program fills.

Applications are considered for a specific intake.

*Or next business day

Admission into this program is highly competitive. Unlike the two-year co-op diploma program, this 40 week program does not accept applicants on a first come, first served basis and meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee acceptance. The program department aims to accept those candidates it deems most likely to be successful.

Applicants with optimal entrance requirements may be granted immediate acceptance.

myCommunication

Within 2 to 3 weeks of applying to a program, you will be sent a letter in the mail confirming receipt of your application. The letter will identify your student number, BCIT e-mail address and instructions on how to login to your myBCIT account.

All official BCIT correspondence will be sent to your myBCIT account. Check myCommunication often during the application process and throughout your studies at BCIT.

You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within 2 to 8 weeks.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.

Books and supplies

Approximately $1118 for all books and supplies including calculator, safety boots and glasses, respirator, drafting supplies, etc.

(general estimated cost, subject to change)

Financial assistance

Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.

Courses

Class hours

0700–1400, Monday through Friday

Program delivery

Combination of classroom and hands-on shop experience.

Program matrix

Required Courses: Credits
  HVAC 1095 Apply Effective Learning Techniques 0.5
  HVAC 1100 Apply Trade Safety Practices 2.0
  HVAC 1102 Process Technical Information 3.0
  HVAC 1103 Apply Trade Tools and Fasteners 4.0
  HVAC 1111 Install Refrigeration Project 2.0
  HVAC 1114 Apply Fundamentals of Refrigeration 11.0
  HVAC 1115 Proper Service Procedures 8.0
  HVAC 1116 Apply Electrical Fundamentals 6.0
  HVAC 1117 Interpret Electrical Diagrams 4.0
  HVAC 1118 Apply Electrical Test Equipmnt 2.0
  HVAC 1119 Install Electrical/Mechanical Devices 4.0
  HVAC 2110 Design Refrigeration Systems 4.0
  HVAC 2111 Ammonia Systems/Water Treatment 3.0
  HVAC 2112 Describe Basic HVAC Systems 2.0
  HVAC 2113 Air Distribution Arrangement for HVAC 2.0
  HVAC 2114 Air Properties and Measurements 2.0
  HVAC 2115 Explain HVAC Control Loops 4.0
  HVAC 2116 Maintain Heat Pump Systems 4.0
  HVAC 3100 Communicate HVAC Heat/Cool Load Calculations 3.0
  HVAC 3102 Design HVAC Distribution Systems 3.0
  HVAC 3103 Maintain Computer Environmental Systems 4.0
  HVAC 3104 Explain Heat Recovery/Energy Management 2.0
  HVAC 3112 Prepare for Employment 0.5
 
Total Credits: 80.0

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Program length

40 weeks, full-time

Grading

Course passing grade is 64 per cent. In order to successfully complete each level a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 70 per cent is required. An overall GPA of 70 per cent is required to successfully complete the program.

Accreditation

Graduates of this program who enter the trade within one year of graduation can expect to receive credit for three levels of technical training for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning apprenticeship.

Program location

Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC

Industry training authority

BCIT transfers to the Industry Training Authority (ITA) the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed ITA Foundation or Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) program. This information is used for the purposes of tracking successful completions in order to grant credit towards apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.

Graduating & Jobs

Job Opportunities

The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician program will produce competent entry-level tradespersons who are knowledgeable in all aspects of the HVAC and R industry. Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter and complete a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship with employers such as commercial/industrial refrigeration contractors, air conditioning commercial contractors, HVAC and R controls, or they may find positions in building maintenance. HVAC and Refrigeration is a compulsory certification trade. Workers in this trade must be apprentices or journeypersons.

Job opportunities in this field are broad and far reaching. The largest employer classifications are wholesaler and contracting firms. Other employers could be government agencies and large hotel and resort chains. Opportunities for employment come as a result of an expanding market, as well as a turnover of skilled technicians who may be retiring or moving up to supervisory positions.

Faculty, Advisors & Staff

Faculty and Staff

  • Glenn Walsh, Refrigeration TQ and IP, CD, Chief Instructor
  • Mark Buller, BEng, PID, CD1
  • George Frank, Refrigeration TQ and IP
  • Ricky He, Refrigeration TQ and IP
  • Kerri Macmillan, Administrative Assistant
  • Guy Ellis, DiplT, MA (Leadership), Associate Dean
  • Trevor Williams, BSc, MSc (Mech Eng), PEng, Dean, School of Energy

Advisory committee

  • Mark Porter, Airstream Heating & AC
  • Peter Whiten, Custom Air Conditioning Ltd.
  • Winston Giles, ICS Refrigeration Ltd.
  • Maurice Castonguay, Trane

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