Description
Refrigeration and air conditioning technicians or mechanics install, repair, service, and design residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration) equipment.
The program provides both theoretical and practical knowledge of refrigeration systems, air conditioning, piping, welding and electrical wiring. Special emphasis will be placed on safety regulations as they pertain to using, reusing, recycling, recovering, and reclaiming HCFC and HFC refrigerants as well as the safe handling and disposal of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Prior to starting the program, you will be invited to attend a program overview information session. You will also be invited to participate in a math and reading skills diagnostic testing session that will advise you of your program readiness.
This is a not an apprenticeship program, but may provide credit transfer opportunities towards apprenticeship. The Government of Manitoba, Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade offers apprenticeship training that combines on-the-job practical skills development with levels of technical training. If you are interested in applying to an apprenticeship program, please visit www.manitoba.ca/tradecareers
DOCUMENT SUBMISSION
Upload Through Your Future Student Account
If you do not have a Future Student Account or require assistance, please contact our Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327.
Internationally Educated Applicants - visit www.rrc.ca/credentials for credential assessment information.
However, if you apply within 6 weeks of the program start date, admission requirements are due within 5 days of applying.
Regular Admission Requirements
Mature Student Admission Requirements
If you are 19 years of age or older and have been out of high school for a minimum of one year at time of application, and you do not meet the regular admission requirements, you may apply under the Mature Student admission requirements.
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - Listening, S - Speaking, R - Reading, W - Writing | L | S | R | W |
| AEPUCE
(Academic English Program of University and College Entrance )
Requirement: Submission of a parchment (certificate) indicating successful completion of the AEPUCE program, including language levels achieved if available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| CAEL and CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language) | 60 | 50 | 60 | 50 |
| CLB (LINC)
(Canadian Language Benchmark - Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada)
Canadian Citizens: LINC programs are not available. | 8 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Duolingo
(Duolingo English Test)
* MINIMUM OVERAL SCORE OF 115 REQUIRED. There are no minimum required levels for L,S,R,W. Only Duolingo English Test scores that have been verified through the Duolingo English Test Portal will be accepted. | 0* | 0* | 0* | 0* |
| IELTS - Academic
(International English Language Testing System)
Please Note: 3 year expiry date for Nursing Program Applicants | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| PTE - Academic Online Assessment (Pearson Test of English) | 58 | 50 | 58 | 42 |
| Password Skills
(An in person English Language Assessment hosted by RRC Polytech)
This in-person, computer-based test is composed of four test modules: reading, writing, listening and speaking. The test takes 3 hours and 5 minutes to complete and is conducted in two parts. The first part assesses reading, listening, and writing, and the second part assesses speaking in a separate room.
Password Skills is hosted by the RRC Polytech Testing and Assessment Centre: E440, Manitou a bi Bii Daziigae building, on the fourth floor.
If you wish to do Password Skills remotely (not in-person), Password Skills Plus can be taken online. RRC Polytech does not offer Password Skills Plus, but we do accept the results for entry into program.
| 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Password Skills Plus (Password Skills Plus is an online assessment that can be taken instead of Password Skills. ) | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| TOEFL-iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet Based Test)
To meet the needs of students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT® test at a test center due to public health concerns, ETS is temporarily offering the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test in selected areas. | 20 | 18 | 19 | 18 |
Reference books are essential components of the work procedures for this program, and require above-average reading vocabulary and comprehension.
To succeed in this program, you should have a strong mechanical aptitude with a good background in mathematics and physical sciences. You should also possess good eyesight and good manual and finger dexterity. Your ability to work independently will be an asset.
Because this program is academically challenging, you should be prepared to spend approximately two hours per night on homework.
| Location | Start Date | Apply Link |
|---|---|---|
| Notre Dame Campus | Aug 31, 2026 | Apply Now |
Students may apply for financial assistance through the Manitoba Student Aid program. For general information on applying please call 204-945-6321 or 1-800-204-1685, or visit their website at www.manitobastudentaid.ca, which also includes an online application. For detailed information, please visit one of the RRC Polytech Student Service Centres or call 204-632-2327. Applicants requiring financial assistance should complete their student loan applications well in advance of the class start date.
This course introduces students to print, reading and sketching as it relates to the construction trades.
This course introduces students to technical communication required in the refrigeration and air conditioning field. Topics include e-mail and letter writing, short informal report, short oral presentation, and preparation for employment. A brief session on Work Standards and Workers’ Compensation Board will be presented.
This course will provide students with knowledge of basic electrical theory, wiring practices including drawing and interpretation of wiring and schematic diagrams. As well, it introduces students to the principles surrounding the service and installation of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment.
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and practice in mathematical operations for technical problems in the refrigeration trade. Topics include whole numbers, fractions, decimals, units of measure, perimeter/areas/volumes, percentages, square root, ratio and proportion, and right angle triangle.
This course will provide students with the theory behind refrigeration (thermodynamics, gas laws, etc.) and basic installation and service of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems including components, accessories, refrigerant handling, system analysis, and troubleshooting.
This course provides students with an overview of the history and current structure and scope of the refrigeration trade. As well, students are offered information about opportunities for employment in the various sectors of the trade.
This course is designed to provide students with a basic introduction to the layout and rules and regulations surrounding the responsibilities of gasfitting in the refrigeration technician trade. Included in the course are definitions and theory of combustion found within the R&AC industry.
This course will provide students with basic knowledge in refrigeration and air conditioning, piping installation principles and practices. It also gives students the opportunity to transfer underpinning knowledge of pipe bending, swaging, flaring, brazing and soldering to practical applications.
(No description available at this time)
(No description available at this time)
This course provides students with basic safety training involving shop material, refrigerant handling, and safety and storage procedures.
This course will provide students with a basic understanding of pneumatics, thermodynamics, psychometrics, and hydraulics as they pertain to the field of refrigeration mechanics. Students will be able to use Pressure-Enthalpy and psychrometric charts and calculate values.
Students receiving a minimum mark of 70% in all courses are eligible for level 1 accreditation for the technical training portion of their apprenticeship.
Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College Polytechnic programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College Polytechnic students require, at minimum:
1. Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam
2. A high speed internet connection
• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/future-students/computer-requirements/ for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.
Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which documents and compares an individual's prior learning gained from prior education, work and life experiences and personal study to the learning outcomes in College courses/programs. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca/rpl.
Graduates find employment with refrigeration and air conditioning companies as apprentices or as customer consultants in refrigeration retail stores.
Journeypersons work mainly in the construction and installation of cooling plants, the maintenance and installation of cooling cabinets and walk-in boxes, and the design, maintenance, and installation of heating systems including boilers, rooftop units, and furnaces as well as building ventilation systems both residential and commercial.