How to get a job as a Refrigeration, Heating, Ventilation and Air-conditioning Engineer - (HVACR)

Refrigeration engineers can be found in building services and maintenance, fishing, food processing, wineries, domestic, commercial and industrial applications, and shipping. Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning engineers design and supervise the building, installation, maintenance and repair of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and equipment.

Education Entry Requirements

To become either a refrigeration /air-conditioning engineer or a heating/ ventilation engineer you can complete a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), or you can enter the job as an apprentice and complete a National Certificate in Refrigeration & Air conditioning or Heating and Ventilation (Level 4), normally lasting four years, while working.

Bursary or NCEA equivalent English, maths, physics, chemistry and technical drawing are preferred for entry to a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) degree. School Certificate or NCEA equivalent maths and science are recommended for those seeking an apprenticeship. 3 years secondary school desirable; experience within an engineering or electrical environment desirable; maturity and desire to up skill or retrain; possession of another trade qualification desirable.

While you are at school you may work on national certificates as well as NCEA. National certificates tell employers you have proven skills in a particular area of work. The advantage of working on a national certificate as well as NCEA means that when you leave school you have an industry qualification as well as a school qualification. Another benefit is that even if you don't complete a full NCEA at school, the credits you earn for the national certificate (and NCEA) are transportable, which means you can take these credits with you into other workplace training. You can also work on national certificates while you're at school if you enrol in Gateway or STAR programmes.

NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) is the main national qualification for secondary students)

Apprenticeships & Traineeships

An apprenticeship is based on unit standards that specify what an apprentice must achieve to gain their National Certificate. Typically it takes three to four years to complete training and gain a National Certificate. The learning programmes which the apprentices embark on are paced to suit the individual. As much training and assessment as possible are completed on the job. How much you are paid during your apprenticeship depends on your employer.

Modern Apprentices If you are aged 16-21, you may wish to join a Modern Apprenticeships programme Designed to assist young graduates and employers to set up apprenticeships A new work-based education initiative, providing support and mentoring to young apprentices on their path to valued skills and qualifications.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL provides an acknowledgement of prior learning resulting from previous study, work or other relevant experiences to determine your pathway.

Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning

Manukau Institute of Technology's Centre for Assessment of Prior Learning acknowledges that many people have several years of work experience, but have not completed formal education programmes. Our process provides for credit transfers and the opportunity for students to prove their experiential learning towards the requirements of a qualification. The process allows candidates to complete their qualification requirements through the following methods: Transfer of past credits earned Prior Learning Assessments through professional conversation or portfolio submission Workplace Assessments and attestation.

Recognition of Overseas qualifications:

The New Zealand Government Residence Policy requires immigrants under the Skilled Migrant Category to have qualifications assessed as part of their application. If you require more information regarding the Skilled Migrant Category, please visit the Immigration New Zealand website.

If you require a Pre-Assessment Report for the purpose of an 'Expression of Interest' under Immigration New Zealand's Skilled Migrant Category you may apply for one.from NZ Qualifcation Authority. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority quality-assures secondary and tertiary qualifications and education providers, evaluates overseas qualifications and administers the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications and the National Qualifications Framework, including the NCEA.