Overview
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration co-operative education diploma program prepares students to design, build, maintain, and repair essential indoor comfort and cooling systems.
About the program
The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC and R) Technician program provides a foundation in basic heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system design, installation, and service. An on-the-job experience component supports BCIT instruction.
The program is two years in duration, combining classroom and shop instruction with two 22-week cooperative education placements in industry. The first year is devoted to direct refrigeration systems. The second year includes a broad range of topics focused on HVAC systems design, operation, and controls. The program also includes Gas B training spread out over the two-year program.
Who it’s for
This career path is suited to those who are interested in working with mechanical and electrical systems, and who enjoy troubleshooting and being independent. The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician program prepares students to seek employment as an apprentice Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic.
What grads can do
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 mechanic fabricates, installs, alters, repairs, and services any system used for cooling and/or heating (i.e., heat pumps) in closed systems that contain a refrigerant or brine and thermoelectric cooling. This includes piping, controls, and electrical work. These workers also connect rooftop units to gas, and test and balance systems.
Graduates also support refrigeration equipment used in supermarkets, food processing, and cold storage facilities. Designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment used in sports facilities such as hockey and curling rinks is also a vital part of the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration industry.
Graduates of this program will be prepared to enter and complete the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship program. Once you have completed the 6,210 hours required by ITA, you will be ale to write the interprovincial Red Seal exam for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains. When available intakes are full, qualified applicants are wait-listed.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program. If you are uncertain or don’t meet the requirements we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
- English language proficiency: one of the following:
- Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment
What if I don’t meet these English requirements? - Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (60%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
Applicants should have a good command of oral and written English, sufficient physical strength and stamina to meet the demands of the work, good hearing, good eyesight, normal colour vision, manual dexterity, and hand/eye coordination.
Applicants should have good theoretical and practical mathematical skills and mechanical aptitude.
Potential students with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview (telephone interview if out of town) with the institute's rehabilitation specialist at 604-451-6963.
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.International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
April each year.
*Scheduled intakes are subject to change
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition fees, visit Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
Level 1: $420; Level 2: $452; Level 3: $246
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
Students are required to supply their own coveralls. A supply of coveralls are available through the BCIT Bookstore. Please check the uniform authorization voucher [PDF] to determine the type of coveralls required for your program.
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 matrix
| Level 1 | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC 1095 | Apply Effective Learning Techniques | 0.5 | |
| HVAC 1100 | Apply Trade Safety Practices | 2.0 | |
| HVAC 1101 | Process Technical Information | 2.5 | |
| HVAC 1103 | Apply Trade Tools and Fasteners | 4.0 | |
| HVAC 1104 | Apply Fundamentals of Refrigeration | 8.5 | |
| HVAC 1105 | Proper Service Procedures | 5.5 | |
| HVAC 1106 | Apply Electrical Fundamentals | 5.5 | |
| HVAC 1107 | Interpret Electrical Diagrams | 3.0 | |
| HVAC 1108 | Apply Electrical Test Equipment | 2.0 | |
| HVAC 1109 | Install Electrical Devices | 4.0 | |
| HVAC 1111 | Install Refrigeration Project | 2.5 | |
| HVAC 1112 | Prepare for Employment | 0.5 | |
| HVAC 1990 | Co-op 1 | 22.0 | |
| Level 2 | Credits | ||
| 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 | 8.0 | |
| HVAC 2990 | Co-op 2 | 22.0 | |
| Level 3 | Credits | ||
| HVAC 3100 | Communicate HVAC Heat/Cool Load Calculations | 3.0 | |
| HVAC 3101 | Service Gas Heating Systems | 8.0 | |
| 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 | |
| Total Credits: | 125.0 | ||
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
89 weeks, full-time
Term 1: 21 weeks school; 22 weeks co-op
Term 2: 14 weeks school; 22 weeks co-op
Term 3: 10 weeks
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.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
SkilledTradesBC
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed Foundation program to SkilledTradesBC. 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.Co-operative education
This is a cooperative education program that combines academic terms with paid cooperative work terms. While co-op coordinators find the majority of job placements for students, it must be recognized that during certain periods of the business cycle, job placements may be difficult to find. It is then the responsibility of the student to work with the coordinator (and independently) to find meaningful work experience.
The cooperative education policy is included under Programming Policy 5004 which is listed in BCIT's institute policies under the Education heading.
For more information, please visit the Centre for Workplace Education located in Building NW5, Room 101 at the Burnaby campus.
| Co-op coordinator: | 604-451-7077 |
| General inquiries: | 604-432-8634 |
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 the existing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Apprenticeship program with employers such as commercial/industrial refrigeration contractors, air conditioning commercial contractors, HVAC and R controls, or they may find positions in building maintenance. Workers in this trade must be apprentices or journeypersons. Graduates of this program who enter the trade within one year of graduation can expect to receive credit for all four levels of technical training for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic apprenticeship.
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.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Robin Gibson, Refrigeration TQ and IP
Department Head
Tel: 604-456-8034
Email: rgibson15@bcit.ca
Ricky He, Refrigeration TQ and IP
Faculty
Tel: 604-432-8426
Email: ricky_he@bcit.ca
Robert Supeene, Refrigeration TQ and IP
Faculty
Tel: 604-202-5336
Email: rsupeene@bcit.ca
Technical Staff
Tony Edwards
Tool Room Attendant
Staff
Sanja Boskovic, PhD Mechanical Engineering, PhD Educational Technology
Associate Dean
Tel: 604-451-6964
Email: sanja_boskovic@bcit.ca
Kelsey Sem
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8259
Email: kelsey_sem@bcit.ca
Advisory committee
Ray Bollinger
President, Just Mechanical Ltd.
Maurice Castonguay
Service Account Manager, Trane Canada
Taylor Gandy
CEO, Gandy Installations
Warren Maloff
HVAC Project Manager, Pacific West Mechanical
Allan Parkhill
President, Airstream Heating & Air Conditioning
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