Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician (Co-op)

Program Overview

Fanshawe's Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Co-op) Technician program prepares you for employment by teaching you multiple skills and a co-op opportunity to put your skills in action. You'll learn how to view a building as a system and how to design, test, install and service mechanical, heating and cooling equipment. You’ll also explore hands-on lab work and theory.

Program Details

Program Code

MHT3W

Credential:

Ontario College Diploma

Delivery

Co-op

Day Time

Full-Time

Duration

60 weeks

Your Learning Experience

In this program, you'll develop skills in:

welding
sheet metal
electrical
plumbing
heating, refrigeration and air conditioning

You'll learn from industry-experienced faculty in a small class setting with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. A career in HRAC offers a wide range of job options and opportunities for professional advancement in service and sales, estimating, supporting large buildings, design, installation and more.

Graduates are eligible to write the Gas Technician II and Gas Technician III certificate exams. This program features a graduate hiring rate of 100%.

Co-op Opportunities & Career Information

Co-op Opportunities

The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program offers a cooperative education component, which provides students the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand workplace experience in their chosen field. Here are some co-op jobs that have kick-started the careers of some Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician students before even graduating!

HVAC Mechanic
Responsible for the safe and efficient operation, troubleshooting, installation, maintenance and repair of all refrigeration, air conditioning and HVAC equipment.

HVAC Estimator
Develop and prepare full-cost mechanical equipment estimates for residential and commercial proposals.

Air Conditioning Technician
Assist the refrigeration mechanics, welders, gas technicians and sheet metal works with aspects of their role.

For more information regarding co-op, please check out our co-op site or contact the Co-op Office at coop@fanshawec.ca to connect with a consultant.

Career Information

Fanshawe’s Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program has a well-established reputation throughout the industry for producing high-quality graduates who continue to find a wide range of opportunities for interesting and challenging employment. Graduates are employed in:

development and testing laboratories
estimating
sales and service departments of heating, refrigeration and air conditioning companies
equipment manufacturers and distributors
construction companies
technical support of large buildings

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program:

HVAC Maintenance Technician
Responsible for completing all maintenance work and assist in other areas of an operations department when needed.

HVAC Sales Representative
Responsible for expanding sales, analyzing customer needs and providing products to fit those needs.

HVAC Installer
Assist in the installation of plumbing and/or sheet metal.

Program Progression

Fall	Winter	Summer
Academic Level 1	Academic Level 2	Co-op
Academic Level 3	Academic Level 4	Co-op

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

Relate effectively to heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning supervisors, coworkers, and customers;
Work safely and in accordance with all applicable acts, regulations, legislation, and codes to ensure personal and public safety;
Select and use a variety of heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning tools and equipment safely and properly;
Solve math and applied science problems required to effectively install and maintain heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems, and associated components;
Prepare and interpret electrical, mechanical, and piping drawings;
Install, service, and troubleshoot heating, refrigeration, air conditioning systems, and associated components;
Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development, that will lead to enhanced work performance and career opportunities, and keep pace with industry changes.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with courses from the College (C), University (U),University/College (M), or Open (O) stream WITH:
- Any Grade 12 Mathematics* (C) or (U)
OR
Academic and Career Entrance Certificate (ACE)
OR
Pre-Technology Ontario CollegeCertificate
OR
Ontario High School EquivalencyCertificate (GED) AND:
- Any Grade 12 Mathematics* (C) or (U)
OR
Mature Applicant with standing in the required course statedabove

Note:

*Applicants who lack the required Mathematics may beadmitted to the program subject to appropriate priorupgrading.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English will be requiredto demonstrate proficiency in English by one of the followingmethods:

A Grade 12 College Stream or University Stream English creditfrom an Ontario Secondary School, or equivalent, depending on theprogram's Admission Requirements
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test with aminimum score of 79 for the Internet-based test (iBT), withtest results within the last two years
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)Academic test with an overall score of 6.0 with no score lessthan 5.5 in any of the four bands, with test results within thelast two years. SDSProgram Requirements.
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) test with an overallscore of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands,with test results within the last two years
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a minimum score of53, with test results within the last two years
A Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) with an overall score onthe Cambridge English Scale of 169 with no language skill less than162, with test results within the last two years
An English Language Evaluation (ELE) at Fanshawe College with aminimum score of 70% in all sections of the test, with test resultswithin the last two years
Fanshawe College ESL4/GAP5 students: Minimum grade of 80% inESL4/GAP5 Level 8, 75% in ESL4/GAP5 Level 9, or 70% in ESL4/GAP5Level 10

Recommended Academic Preparation

Grade 11 or Grade 12 Physics (C) or (U)
Grade 12 English (C) OR Grade 12 Business andTechnological Communication (O)
It is recommended that students in the Academic and CareerEntrance Certificate (ACE) program take a Technical orApprenticeship Mathematics course within the ACE program.

Recommended Personal Preparation

Training or experience in any one of the following areas wouldbe helpful preparation for this program: Physics, Chemistry,Electricity, Electronics, Refrigeration/Air Conditioning, BlueprintReading, Environmental Science, Computer Programming.

Advanced Standing

Credit for any course in the program will be given to studentswho can demonstrate that they have the required skills to meet theobjectives of the course.

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the availablespaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria willbe:

Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date,Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come,first-served basis until the program is full)
Achievement in the Admission Requirements

Note:

Admission to the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program doesnot guarantee admission in a subsequent year to the Heating,Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician program. Successfulcompletion of the Fanshawe College Pre-Technology program, however,does enable the student to be given additional consideration whenapplying to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air ConditioningTechnician program. The Pre-Technology program isthe preferred designated preparatory program for admission to theHeating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technicianprogram.

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses:
ELEC-1014	Electricity-Intro	4
This introductory course provides for electrical troubleshooting techniques. Electrical troubleshooting techniques allow technicians to correctly diagnose electrical problems associated with heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning equipment. Combining theoretical and practical work, this course explores basic electrical theory and concepts, electrical hazards and applicable codes. It also introduces electrical testing equipment and safe working practices and procedures.
MACH-1175	Basic Gas Technician	6
Students will learn hazards and safety procedures that relate to working conditions, and the safe handling and procedures for materials they will be using. Students will be introduced to common fasteners, hand and power tools used in the HRAC field. Students will study the origin and properties of natural gas and propane, identify the characteristics of complete and incomplete combustion, upper and lower explosive limits, potential sources of ignition, carbon monoxide and other by-products of incomplete combustion. In addition, students will examine the natural gas and propane installation codes and code adoption documents, Ontario regulations, and standards associated with the manufacturing, testing, installation, and servicing of natural gas and propane appliances, components, and equipment.
MACH-1019	Introduction to Gas Appliances	2
This course trains student HRAC technicians to interpret information from appliance manufacturer's installation and service manuals, service bulletins, and safety directives. It also familiarizes students with important sections of a gas appliance manufacturer's installation and service manual and explores the association between the manufacturer's installation instructions and the Natural Gas and Propane Installation codes. In addition, students will be introduced to electrical drawings, mechanical drawings and the purpose of various charts, graphs and tables. This course examines the operating characteristics, features, and methods of heat transfer in natural gas and propane appliances, as well as explaining the purpose of venting and the different types of venting materials used on gas appliances. Customer relations are also studied.
MACH-1020	Propane & Natural Gas Piping Systems	3
Piping, tubing, hose, and fittings used with natural gas and propane must be installed and tested in accordance with Natural Gas and Propane Installation Code. This course includes the interpretation of the gas code as it pertains to piping and tubing systems. Through a combination of theory and hands-on shop classes, students learn to identify piping, tubing, and fittings, pressure-testing requirements, and purging requirements. Students will also learn how to size pipe systems and the requirements for the installation of polyethylene pipe and fittings, for water, vent, and underground gas service.
WELD-1013	Welding Technology/Fabricating Skills	2
This course trains students to operate oxy-acetylene equipment to perform various cutting and welding operations. Basic M.I.G. welding skills are taught as well as metal fabricating techniques.
PSYC-1025	Human Relations 1	3
This course is designed to assist the student in developing a greater understanding of the basic social and psychological principles of human behaviour. Emphasis will be on the cultural elements of interpersonal behaviour, socialization and personality development, the self-concept, perception, verbal, nonverbal and listening skills. As a result, the successful student will acquire practical life skills, essential for both personal and career development.
WRIT-1039	Reason & Writing 1-Technology	3
This course will introduce technology students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.