Air conditioning installation

Nationally recognised training for the technicians who install and maintain the milking, water, and effluent systems New Zealand's dairy industry depends on.

Available qualifications

Level
4
New Zealand Certificate in Air Conditioning Installation
Employers
Learners — Ākonga

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications — tailored to your business's specific needs.

5,672
Apprentices trained
Level 4
National qualification
ROI
Calculate your return →

The air conditioning installation (ACI) programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines hands-on training with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to independently install air conditioning systems up to 50kW nominal cooling, working with modern refrigerants in line with industry best practice. Training also covers safety, legislation, and environmental requirements, with a strong focus on adapting to technological advancements and future industry needs.

‍

Benefits of this programme

‍
•  Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
•  A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
•  Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses
•  Focus on safe refrigerant use and compliance with environmental and legislative standards
•  Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

‍

How we work with you

We partner with members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers in your industry, identifying potential learners, and encouraging work placements.

We also ensure your industry’s qualifications continue to meet needs, support industry events like conferences, and regularly celebrate your learners’ success.

When apprentices enrol, we assign them a Competenz account manager. Our account managers understand the industry and the skills learners and businesses need to gain.

Get started
Start training →ROI Calculator →Talk to an advisor →
Related industries
Electrical EngineeringPlumbing & GasfittingRefrigeration & Air Conditioning

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice

Use this form to register with Competenz. We’ll get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.

Get started →
Onboarding guides

Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays — your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how to help your apprentice succeed.

Onboarding guides →
See your business impact

View the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. The lasting value of investing in your workforce.

ROI Calculator →

The dairy industry faces a persistent shortage of skilled technicians. Training your own people is the most reliable way to build capability that actually stays.

Competenz Training Advisor — Dairy Systems, Waikato region

You run the operation. We handle the training architecture.

What do they do?

Refrigeration and air conditioning engineers manufacture, install and maintain the systems used to store and transport perishable items such as food and medicine. Your work environment can change one day to the next from a shipping container to an apartment block.

A typical day

Normally an eight-hour day; sometimes working longer may be required.

‍

Work can include installing and maintaining refrigeration and air conditioning systems in office buildings, hospitals and factories, through to refrigeration engineering in warehouses, ships, containers and trucks.

‍

You are likely to work in many different locations from day to day.

‍

Sounds like you?

If you’re practical, curious about how things work, and comfortable in both workshops and outdoors — this is worth reading.

Study areas that help

  • English or Media or History
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies
  • Computing/ICT/Information Management.

Helpful experience

  • Analysing, researching or problem solving
  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with machinery
  • Working with computers.

Work environments

  • Indoors (workshop or plant)
  • Outside (outdoors)
  • Different places from time to time.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Good to have

Problem-solving mindset

  • Strong eye for detail
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good work habits/time management.

Career pathway

The apprenticeship is the foundation — not the ceiling.

School

Getting ready

These can be useful from school:

  • Ideally NCEA Level 2 in:
  • Maths
  • Science (physics)
  • Technology (metal work)
  • English.

Entry level

Apprenticeship

  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer
  • Air Conditioning Systems Designer
  • Industrial Refrigeration Engineer
  • Commercial Refrigeration Engineer
  • Transport Refrigeration Engineer.

Advancing

Higher learning

  • Specialist Engineer
  • Supervisor.

‍

Senior

Higher learning

  • Foreman
  • Site Supervisor
  • Business Manager
  • Business Owner.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Common questions

How do I set up my account for Competenz Central?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I’m an international student - can I do an apprenticeship or traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need a visa or work permit?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How old do I need to be?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How long is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

How much does an apprenticeship/traineeship cost?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

I have a job, what do I do next?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Do I need to be employed to be an apprentice/trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What experience do I need to do an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

What is an apprenticeship/traineeship?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be a trainee?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Can I be an apprentice?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Who is Competenz?

For apprenticeships, the government contributes to training costs — you pay wages. The exact figure depends on your situation. Use the ROI Calculator for a personalised estimate.

Get started
Plan your journey →Find a job →Create your CV →
Support
Learner supportBrowse qualificationsHow apprenticeships work

Air conditioning installation

The air conditioning installation (ACI) programme provides a nationally recognised qualification that combines hands-on training with technical knowledge. It equips people with the skills to independently install air conditioning systems up to 50kW nominal cooling, working with modern refrigerants in line with industry best practice. Training also covers safety, legislation, and environmental requirements, with a strong focus on adapting to technological advancements and future industry needs.

‍

Benefits of this programme

‍
•  Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
•  A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
•  Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses
•  Focus on safe refrigerant use and compliance with environmental and legislative standards
•  Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

‍

Programmes available
‍‍‍

‍‍

Success stories

From fishing boats to naval ships - Titan Marine Engineering sets a new standard in apprentice training
Employers
Learners

This qualification is designed for individuals already working within the industry, interested in gaining a credential that will enhance their employment opportunities or people in allied trades such as electrical and plumbing who wish to enter the RHVAC industry.

‍

  • Operate independently to safely install air conditioning systems up to 50Kw nominal cooling.
  • Use relevant, tools and equipment.
  • Build knowledge, techniques, and meet all relevant environmental and industrial legislative requirements.

What can I expect?

The programme focuses on the types of commercial and residential units commonly installed, including ducted systems and variable refrigerant flow units. Installation covers the requirements of seismic restraints, passive fire, and retaining the structural integrity of buildings, among others.

Electrical safety is a key component of the programme, however the requirement to hold an Electrical Workers Registration Boards (EWRB) practising license is not included as it is expected other qualified people will carry out this electrical work The programme is rounded off with post-installation pre-commissioning of the installed units and the quality of the install.

‍

How is it delivered?

This programme is best delivered on the job. Air Conditioning Installation Level 4 is a two-year certificate worth 140 credits. There is one three-week block course, which is set for year two of the programme. Competenz will launch this new qualification in the third quarter of 2022. If you would like to know more please register below.More information on the qualification can be found on the NZQA website.

‍

‍

Employers Hub

Sign up a new apprentice
Use this form to register with Competenz. We'll use this form to get you started and ensure everything is set up smoothly.
Onboarding guides
Get a clear picture of how apprenticeships work and the part everyone plays. These guides explain your responsibilities, the importance of a workplace mentor, and how you can help your apprentice succeed.
See your business impact
Use this calculator to view the approximate cost of an apprenticeship and how the benefits build as your apprentice develops. It’s designed to show the lasting value of investing in your workforce.

Ready to get started?

Hire an apprenticeTalk to Competenz

What do they do?

Refrigeration and air conditioning engineers manufacture, install and maintain the systems used to store and transport perishable items such as food and medicine. Your work environment can change one day to the next from a shipping container to an apartment block.

A typical day

Normally an eight-hour day; sometimes working longer may be required.

‍

Work can include installing and maintaining refrigeration and air conditioning systems in office buildings, hospitals and factories, through to refrigeration engineering in warehouses, ships, containers and trucks.

‍

You are likely to work in many different locations from day to day.

‍

Sounds like you?

Study areas
  • English or Media or History
  • Maths or Accounting or Economics
  • Sciences or Workshop Technologies
  • Computing/ICT/Information Management.
Attributes
  • Strong eye for detail
  • Good literacy and numeracy
  • Good organisational skills
  • Good work habits/time management.
Helpful experience
  • Analysing, researching or problem solving
  • Making or fixing things
  • Working with machinery
  • Working with computers.
Preferred work environments
  • Indoors (workshop or plant)
  • Outside (outdoors)
  • Different places from time to time.

‍

‍

‍

‍

Pathway

School

These can be useful from school:

  • Ideally NCEA Level 2 in:
  • Maths
  • Science (physics)
  • Technology (metal work)
  • English.
Entry level jobs

Apprenticeship

  • Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer
  • Air Conditioning Systems Designer
  • Industrial Refrigeration Engineer
  • Commercial Refrigeration Engineer
  • Transport Refrigeration Engineer.
Advancing jobs

Higher learning

  • Specialist Engineer
  • Supervisor.

‍

Senior jobs

Higher learning

  • Foreman
  • Site Supervisor
  • Business Manager
  • Business Owner.

‍

‍

‍

‍

FAQs

How do I set up my account for Competenz Central?
I’m an international student - can I do an apprenticeship or traineeship?
Do I need a visa or work permit?
How old do I need to be?
How long is an apprenticeship/traineeship?
How much does an apprenticeship/traineeship cost?
I have a job, what do I do next?
Do I need to be employed to be an apprentice/trainee?
What experience do I need to do an apprenticeship/traineeship?
What is an apprenticeship/traineeship?
Can I be a trainee?
Can I be an apprentice?
Who is Competenz?

Related FAQs

Ready to get Started?

Plan your journeyFind a job
Frequently asked questionsChanges to the VET system
About usCareers at CompetenzOur BoardAnnual reportsOur researchEventsPartners
Get in touchOur officesOur people
Te Pūkenga
OverviewWorkforce Development CouncilsReform of Vocational Education
Competenz is a Business Division of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology.
Privacy NoticeAbout Te PūkengaTerms of UsePrivacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 Competenz All rights reserved.