Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship

This apprenticeship trains you to install, maintain, service and repair refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) systems across a wide range of settings, from commercial kitchens and supermarket cold rooms to large-scale data centres and industrial plant rooms. You alternate between on-the-job training with a registered employer and off-the-job training at an Education and Training Board (ETB) or Institute of Technology centre. Core practical skills include pipework fabrication, electrical fault-finding, refrigerant handling, and system commissioning. You also study the underpinning theory of thermodynamics, refrigerant types, and environmental compliance. A key milestone is gaining your F-Gas certification, which is a legal requirement for anyone handling fluorinated greenhouse gases in Ireland and the EU. A typical week on-site might involve carrying out planned preventative maintenance on a supermarket chiller cabinet, then attending college one day for theory assessment.

Entry to the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning apprenticeship requires you to find a SOLAS-registered employer who will take you on and register you as an apprentice; this is an 'earn and learn' model so you are employed from day one. You typically need to have completed the Leaving Certificate or a QQI Level 5 qualification, and employers generally look for passes in Maths, English, and ideally a technical subject such as Construction Studies, Engineering, or Physics. No specific CAO points apply, as entry is through direct employer recruitment rather than the CAO system. Some candidates enter following a QQI Level 5 PLC course in Engineering Technology or a related discipline, which can strengthen your application. Mature applicants (aged 23 and over) can apply directly to employers regardless of formal qualifications if they can demonstrate relevant practical experience. SOLAS coordinates registration and standards, and information is available at apprenticeship.ie.

The outlook for qualified RAC technicians in Ireland is very strong, driven by rapid data centre expansion, EU F-Gas phase-down regulations creating demand for system upgrades, and government targets for heat pump installation under the Climate Action Plan. The sector has a well-documented skills shortage, meaning graduates typically secure employment quickly and can command competitive wages. Gross annual salaries for qualified technicians generally range from around €38,000 to €60,000 or more, with specialist data centre and industrial roles at the higher end. Self-employment and sub-contracting are also realistic options for experienced tradespeople.