Level 3

Study refrigeration and air conditioning

Shorten your apprenticeship by up to a year and you could launch your career sooner doing things like installing air conditioning systems in an office building one day and fixing a commercial freezer on a fishing boat the next.
Overview
Due to high demand, we are unable to take any more applications for February 2024.

Programme highlights

­­Do you want to shorten your apprenticeship in refrigeration and air conditioning?

You could find yourself installing an air conditioning system in an office building one day and then fixing a commercial freezer on a fishing boat the next.

Learn the practical skills you need to become a refrigeration and air conditioning technician. If you don't already have an apprenticeship, study this programme to cut your apprenticeship off-the-job learning by up to a year.

At MIT our refrigeration and air conditioning facilities include a coolroom and up-to-date testing equipment.

Aspects of this programme are physically demanding, please talk with an Ask Me! agent if you face fitness or mobility challenges.

Please note: A small component of this programme is delivered by a sub-contractor.

You may be required to complete literacy and numeracy assessments as part of this programme.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

General

Open entry for domestic students

There are no academic requirements that need to be met to enter this programme.

English language entry requirements

You will need English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English (an assessment may be required if your first language is not English).

 
Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?

Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.

Programme structure

Programme structure

You will need to complete the below seven courses (120 credits):
Level 2

251.201 Core Engineering Practical and Safety (15 credits)

Select, use, and care for, engineering hand and power tools, demonstrate knowledge of fasteners used in mechanical engineering, shift loads in engineering installation, maintenance, and fabrication work, and apply safe working practices on an engineering work site.  Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements.  Demonstrate knowledge of common first aid conditions and how to respond to them and provide first aid for life threatening conditions

253.227 Electrical Theory Electromotive Force and Magnetism (15 credits)

Explain the properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors and their effect on electrical circuits and demonstrate knowledge of electromotive force and electromagnetism theory

Level 3

251.305 Core Engineering Calculations Materials and Engineering Drawing (15 credits)

Demonstrate knowledge of mathematics and mechanics, interpret heating, ventilating and air conditioning drawings. Demonstrate knowledge of common engineering materials and metals. Demonstrate knowledge of safety on engineering work sites.

253.348 Refrigeration Principles and Operations (30 credits)

Demonstrate knowledge of ozone depletion, global warming, and refrigeration and air conditioning principles and applications.  Assemble commercial refrigeration and air conditioning system components

253.349 Refrigeration Assembly and Site Safe (15 credits)

Fabricate and assemble commercial refrigeration and air conditioning system, and complete a site safe

253.350 Electrical Safety and Electrical Appliance Servicing (15 credits)

Demonstrate knowledge and practical skills required for Electrical Service Technicians – Demonstrate knowledge of electrical safety and safe working practices, isolate and test low-voltage electrical sub circuits, and test instruments and take measurements

254.361 Welding for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (15 credits)

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of safe welding procedures, Prepare and purge braze piping for refrigeration and air conditioning and join metals using the torch brazing and soldering processes.

Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?

Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.

Careers and pathways

Further training or study

Ongoing study is offered and managed through the relevant ITO (Industry Training Organisation).  You will need to be employed in your trade to complete Level 4 apprenticeship training.  Contact us to find out more about which ITO can support you with your ongoing study.

Career opportunities

Refrigeration engineer, trades assistant, or an apprentice refrigeration and air conditioning technician.

For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.

Free study for the first year of your Level 3 or above qualification may be available under the government’s fees-free study scheme. Visit feesfree.govt.nz for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student. Free study for Level 3 may be available for 16 to 24 year olds (Youth Guarantee). Free study for up to one year for Levels 3 and 4 may be available under Māori and Pasifika Trades Training (MPTT), a government-led training initiative to encourage young Māori and Pasifika people to gain trade qualifications. All free study is subject to funding confirmation. Proof of residency status required. Entry criteria, and some costs, may also apply. Eligibility for student allowances or student loans may vary. Contact StudyLink for more information.

Information is correct as at 15 February 2024. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2024 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2024 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2024 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2024 are based on the 2023 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2024. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology. Te Pūkenga is accredited under the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.