A Refrigeration Engineering Technician designs, installs and repairs the refrigeration technology that is vital for places from restaurants to hospitals
There are many industries that use climate control systems to maintain a steady or cool temperature, either to protect their goods or services, or to create comfortable leisure and work environments. Industries include food production, product distribution, retail storage, hospitality, transport, office spaces, manufacturing, IT/data centres, and medical healthcare services.
A refrigeration technician is involved in the design, installation, maintenance and repair of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump systems. This involves understanding technology and mechanics and making sure refrigeration systems are as efficient as possible. You could be the technician who helps to preserve food and products, keeps people comfortable, and who installs new energy-efficient technology.
You could join a small team focused on serving local businesses. Or you might prefer being part of a large UK firm involved in big installations and maintenance contracts all over the UK.
Further on in your career, you could progress to designing cooling systems, decide to set up your own business, or move into building services engineering or plumbing.
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
Options available after GCSEs:
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.
Changes to environmental laws and new innovative technology mean refrigeration challenges and systems are always evolving. Refrigeration is estimated to be responsible for an estimated 10% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and 16% of electricity use, so there is a continuous emphasis on making systems more efficient. Refrigeration technicians have important responsibilities for minimising the environmental impact of cooling systems.
This role can also be known by some other job titles including:
Refrigeration Engineer
Air Conditioning Technician
Service Technician
Maintenance Technician
Commissioning Engineer
