Refrigeration and air conditioning

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 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Trade)
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 refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) programmes provides a nationally recognised qualifications that combine hands-on training with technical knowledge. They equip people with the skills to install, maintain, service, and commission industry equipment to the highest standards. Training also covers safe handling of refrigerants and electrical systems, with pathways to Electrical Service Technician (EST) certification and refrigerant handling compliance to meet industry regulations.


Benefits of this programme

‍
•   Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
•   A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
•   Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility.
•   Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses.
•   Pathways that include EST certification and refrigerant handling compliance.
•   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

Refrigeration and air conditioning

The refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) programmes provides a nationally recognised qualifications that combine hands-on training with technical knowledge. They equip people with the skills to install, maintain, service, and commission industry equipment to the highest standards. Training also covers safe handling of refrigerants and electrical systems, with pathways to Electrical Service Technician (EST) certification and refrigerant handling compliance to meet industry regulations.


Benefits of this programme

‍
•   Nationally recognised qualifications built to industry standards
•   A blend of practical training and technical knowledge
•   Coverage of safety, compliance, and environmental responsibility.
•   Flexible structure combining workplace learning, eLearning, and block courses.
•   Pathways that include EST certification and refrigerant handling compliance.
•   Designed to meet the ongoing needs of a modern, high-demand industry.

‍

‍Programmes available
‍‍‍

Qualifications available

Success stories

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

Competenz can provide training plans, support and qualifications – tailored to your businesses specific needs.

How we work with you

We partner with industry associations like the Institute of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (IRHACE) and members of your industry to help recruit and build talented employees. This support includes promoting careers in your industry, identifying potential apprentices, and encouraging work placements.

‍

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

‍

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

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?

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