Transport Refrigeration Technician - Career GPS

Associated NOC Code: 7313 – Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Mechanics

Job Prospects: Not Available

Education: Often Required

Salary Range: Coming Soon

Transport Refrigeration Technicians spend their days installing, maintaining, repairing, and overhauling equipment to ensure goods arrive at their destination in good condition.

Transport Refrigeration Technicians are part of a company’s maintenance department. Their work is often done in shops and terminals. Transport Refrigeration Technicians work on mobile units/trailers that supply conditioned air. These units transport perishable goods, like food and medical supplies.

The Transport Refrigeration Technician role is physically demanding. They use their body strength and flexibility to perform their work and spend most of their days on their feet, climbing onto ladders and equipment while servicing the trailers.

Although requirements of applicants will vary by province and employer, the following may apply:

1. Educational Requirements

Completion of high school/secondary school is usually required
Completion of a 3-5 year apprenticeship program and trade certification as a Transport Refrigeration Technician or a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic may be required
Ozone depletion certificate is required in some provinces (the company may also provide this training)

Trade Certification

Trade certification for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics (not specific to transport) is compulsory in NS, NB, QC, ON, MB, SK and AB. It is available but voluntary in all other provinces and territories. Individuals with their trade certification can perform the tasks of a Transport Refrigeration Technician.

Red Seal endorsement is available to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics upon completing the interprovincial Red Seal examination. Red Seal certification allows individuals to work in any province where trade certification is required.

Trade certification for Transport Refrigeration Technicians is available but voluntary in New Brunswick, Alberta and British Columbia.

Getting Your Trade Certification

A written and practical examination is required to achieve trade certification. To qualify to write the certification exam, individuals must complete a 3-5 year apprenticeship program or have a combination of over five years of work experience in the trade and high school, college or industry courses in refrigeration and air conditioning repair.

2. Physical Requirements

Transport Refrigeration Technicians use their body strength to push, pull, lift and carry tools, equipment and parts. They also use their flexibility to crouch, bend, kneel, twist and sometimes lay down on creepers to work on equipment over their heads and under a trailer. Other physical requirements include:

Hearing: They listen to various sounds and recognize the difference between them, particularly when diagnosing and troubleshooting equipment problems. They often use their sense to pinpoint issues.
Vision: They need to see the detail of objects up close and from a distance (more than one foot away) when servicing equipment. They are also required to detect colours, shades and brightness.
Agility: They need to steady themselves and maintain a strong posture when performing actions that involve intense pushing/pulling.
Dexterity: They need manual dexterity to manipulate hand and power tools.