Careers and Qualifications

Whether you are just starting out, retraining, or looking to upskill, there are clear training routes into the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. The Institute of Refrigeration (IOR) can help you understand your options and find the right pathway into a skilled engineering career.

To explore all available routes, download our Careers & Qualifications Route Map (coming soon)

Why Choose a Career in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps?

Refrigeration, Air Conditioning (RACHP) is a high-demand, essential engineering career that supports everyday life: from keeping food fresh in supermarkets, to enabling hospitals, data centres, transport systems, and comfortable buildings.

It is a great career for people who enjoy hands-on practical work, problem-solving, and working with modern engineering systems.

Roles You Could Work Into

As you progress through training and experience, you could move into roles such as:

• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineer 
• HVAC Installation Technician
• Service & Maintenance Engineer
• Heat Pump Installer / Engineer
• Commissioning Technician
• Field Service Engineer
• Controls / Systems Technician
• Technical or Project Engineer

These roles exist across construction, facilities management, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and specialist engineering companies.

Salaries and Earning Potential

Earnings grow quickly as you gain experience and qualifications:

• Apprentice (starting out): £12,000 – £20,000
• Qualified Engineer: £25,000 – £40,000
• Experienced Engineer: £40,000 – £55,000+
• Senior / Specialist / Project Roles: £55,000 – £70,000+

With demand increasing for low-carbon technologies like heat pumps, skilled engineers are more in demand than ever.

Why This Is a Strong Career Choice 

• High demand across the UK and internationally
• Strong job security and long-term career options
• Clear progression from apprentice to senior engineer
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge low-carbon technology
• Practical, varied, and hands-on work
• Excellent earning potential as skills develop

T Levels: A Strong Alternative Route Into the Industry

If you are still in education, T Levels in Building Services Engineering offer a great starting point into the RACHP sector. T Levels are a two-year technical study programme that combines classroom learning with real industry experience.

They include:

• A substantial industry placement (around 45 days) 
• Technical knowledge and practical skills development
• A strong foundation for apprenticeships or skilled employment
• Direct pathways into engineering, HVAC, and building services careers

T Levels are ideal if you want a structured learning route before entering work or an apprenticeship.

For more information https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students or download the resources from SDN on this topic.

Apprenticeships: Earn & Learn

The RACHP Engineering Technician Apprenticeship is the main entry route into the industry.

• Typically lasts 3 years
• You spend 80% working and 20% training
• You gain real workplace experience while earning a wage
• You develop the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to become a professional engineer

This apprenticeship has been developed by employers across the industry and is supported by the IOR. It is government-approved and delivered through registered training providers.

More information about apprenticeships can be found in the links below.

• Find an Apprenticeship Training Provider here.
• Find out more about the Apprenticeship Standard and Assessment here (download the official documents here)
• Find an Apprenticeship vacancy here.

F-Gas Certification 

If you are already working in the industry, you must hold a valid F-Gas Certificate to legally handle refrigerants.

Important to know:

• It is a legal requirement for handling fluorinated gases
• It does not make you fully qualified as an engineer
• It only covers environmental and legal compliance requirements

To find an accredited centre, please click here.

Progression & Career Development

The RACHP sector offers clear long-term progression, including:

• Senior engineering roles
• Design and project engineering
• Technical leadership positions
• Heat pump and low-carbon technology specialists
• Service and maintenance management

Training routes are designed to support progression at every stage of your career.

If an apprenticeship is not the right route for you, there are still excellent options available. You can explore entry-level courses, training programmes, and industry qualifications that allow you to build skills and progress into the sector at your own pace.

There are a number of recognised awarding bodies supporting training and qualifications in this sector, including City & Guilds, EAL, and NOCN, ensuring nationally recognised standards across different learning routes.

Use the Training Route Map (coming soon) to find the most suitable provider in your area. This will help you identify approved training centres offering courses and qualifications aligned to your career goals, and guide you towards the right starting point for your journey into the industry.

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