Career outlook for refrigeration and air conditioning engineer
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£42,640
Currently employed in Scotland
1,100
Five year job forecast
-2.98%
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures.
What's it like?
You would design, install and repair cooling systems in buildings so they are safe and effective.
You could specialise in refrigeration. You’d then work on cooling systems in places like:
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Hospitals
- Food processing plants
- Factories
If you instead specialise in air conditioning, you would install and maintain the systems that control the air quality, temperature and humidity inside modern buildings. These include offices, schools and leisure complexes.
Whichever area you work in, you would:
- Survey the buildings where cooling systems are to be fitted
- Discuss requirements with customers
- Produce quotes for work
- Design and install systems
- Run quality checks to make sure systems work properly and safely
- Diagnose and fix faults
- Do planned maintenance
You would also advise customers on how to reduce their energy consumption. You’d be working with renewable energy technologies and the special types of gas used in systems that do not damage the Earth’s atmosphere.
You need to be able to follow technical drawings, building plans and other instructions. It would be important to understand and adopt safe working practices.
Working conditions
Hours
Environment
Travel
UK employment status
Full-time
60%
Part-time
27%
Self employed
13%
Create a qualification route
We’ve found some examples of the qualifications that could help you get this job.
Discover my routeTop skills
Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.
- Taking initiative
- Attention to detail
- Understanding
- Reading
- Verbal communication
- Observation
- Resourceful
- Working with numbers
- Problem solving
- Evaluating
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Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you’ll need.
Qualifications
You could do a Modern Apprenticeship leading to a relevant Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Electrical Installation or Install, Commission and Maintain Refrigeration Systems (SVQ level 2/3).
Or a National Certificate (SCQF level 7), a National Qualification (SCQF level 7), a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) in areas like Electrical Engineering.
Entry requirements for a Modern Apprenticeship vary but employers may ask for up to four qualifications at SCQF level 4/5. You usually have to pass an aptitude test before you can start training.
Useful subjects
- Maths (required by many courses and employers)
- Science subjects, in particular physics (required by many courses and employers)
- English
- Technologies subjects such as engineering science
You will also need
Once in a job you must hold current F Gas Certification. You may achieve this as part of a relevant work-based qualification such as Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Install, Commission and Maintain Refrigeration Systems (SVQ level 2/3) or City and Guilds Refrigerant Handling.
You will need a driving licence for most jobs.
Helpful to have
Qualifications that show understanding and experience of the industry such as Skills for Work Engineering Skills (SCQF level 5).
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