Entry Level Qualification 

8

Career Fields 

Mechanic & Technician

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

No Entrance Exam

About Career 

Your work as a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic will include installing, servicing and repairing various types of refrigerators and air-conditioning machines at homes, offices and various commercial facilities such as shops, malls, etc. You need to work with air conditioners, central air conditioning systems, and refrigerating systems.

You will work on commercial, residential, public and industrial projects, including transportation and storage. You will be installing, testing, commissioning, reporting, maintaining, finding faults and repairing electronic, mechanical and electrical components of refrigerators and air conditioners. You need to visit customers’ locations to fulfil their requests. You also need to maintain a proper stock of the parts, tools, and safety equipment in your vehicle for emergency service requests.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

As a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles and responsibilities: -

1. Installation of refrigeration and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) systems at large factories, commercial and other large-scale infrastructure such as metro stations.

2. Installation of Air-Conditioning machines such as window air-conditioners and split air-conditioners at homes, offices and other places.

3. Inspection of refrigeration systems, air-conditioning machines and HVAC machines to check if any servicing or repair is required.

4. Performing servicing and repair work as required.

5. Maintenance of refrigeration systems, air-conditioning machines, and HVAC systems in good working conditions.

6. Responding to calls for servicing and repair from customers and troubleshooting.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 8 in school – obtain National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Certificate for ‘Repair and Maintenance of Refrigerator’

After completing Class 8 in school, you can obtain the National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 3Training and Certificate for ‘Repair and Maintenance of Refrigerator’ from a vocational training institute. You have to be at least 14 years old to be eligible for this certificate. The total number of training hours is 500. This certificate is valid for 5 years.

Class 8 in school –work as a helper for 2 years or Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies / higher– NSQF Level 4 Certificate for ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator’

After completing Class 8 in school, you will have to first work as a helper in small businesses or workshops related to electrical work, electronics, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning)or refrigeration for 2 years to gain some work experience. Then you can go for National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 4 Training and Certificate for ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator’. The total number of training hours is 360. With higher qualifications, you will not need any work experience before this course. Complete class 10 and directly go for the National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 4Training and Certificate for ‘Field Technician – Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician – Refrigerator’.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – ITI course in AC Technician/Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technician or related field

After Class 10, you need to go for a training course at Industrial Training Institute (ITI), National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Regional Vocational Training Institute (RVTI), National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Industrial Training Center (ITC) or other vocational institutes in ‘Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’ or similar courses. This training is of 2 years with 4 semesters.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – work as a helper for 1-2 years - NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Safety Tester - RACWO’or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’or similar courses

After Class 10, you will have to first work as a helper in small businesses or workshops related to electrical work, electronics, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) or refrigeration for 1-2 years to gain some work experience. Then you can go for National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Training and Certificate for ‘Safety Tester - RACWO’or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’ or similar courses. The total number of training hours is 300.(RACWO - Refrigeration, Air Conditioner, Washing appliances, and Other home appliances).

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject combination as per scheme of studies - NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Safety Tester: RACWO’ or Level 4 Certificate for ‘Performance Tester: RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator ‘or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’or similar courses

After Class 12, you can go for National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF)Level 3 Training and Certificate for ‘Safety Tester: RACWO’ or Level 4 Certificate for ‘Performance Tester: RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator ‘or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’ or similar courses.(RACWO - Refrigeration, Air Conditioner, Washing appliances, and Other home appliances).

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – ITI course in AC Technician/Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Technician or related field - NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Safety Tester: RACWO’ or Level 4 Certificate for ‘Performance Tester: RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator’ or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’or similar courses

After Class 10, you need to go for a training course at Industrial Training Institute (ITI), National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Regional Vocational Training Institute (RVTI), National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI), Industrial Training Center (ITC) or other vocational institutes in ‘Mechanic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning’ or similar courses. This training is of 2 years with 4 semesters. Then you can go for National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Training and Certificate for ‘Safety Tester - RACWO’ or Level 4 Training and Certificate for ‘Performance Tester – RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician – Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician – Refrigerator’ or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’ or similar courses. (RACWO - Refrigeration, Air Conditioner, Washing appliances, and Other home appliances.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Diploma in ‘Electrical or Electronics’ or related disciplines - NSQF Level 3 Certificate for ‘Safety Tester: RACWO’ or Level 4 Certificate for ‘Performance Tester: RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator’ or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’ or similar courses

After Class 10, you need to do a Diploma in ‘Electrical or Electronics’ or related disciplines. Then you can go for National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF)Level 3 Certificate for ‘Safety Tester: RACWO’ or Level 4 Certificate for ‘Performance Tester: RACWO’ or ‘Field Technician: Air-conditioner’ or ‘Field Technician: Refrigerator’ or Level 5 Certificate for ‘Central Air Condition Plant Mechanic’ or ‘Mechanic Electrical Domestic Appliances’ or similar courses

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – AICTE approved Integrated B. Voc. or D. Voc. courses in ‘Refrigeration & Air Conditioning’

After Class 10, you can go for a 5-year B. Voc. or D. Voc. course designed by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) at various approved institutes india. If you leave after 1 year, you will be given a National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Certificate. After 2 years, you will be given a National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) Level 4 Certificate. After 3 years, you will complete your Diploma (D. Voc) in ‘Refrigeration & Air Conditioning’. After 4 years, you will complete your Advanced Diploma in ‘Refrigeration & Air Conditioning’. After 5 years, you will finish the entire course and earn a B. Voc degree in ‘Refrigeration & Air Conditioning’.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

After Class 8, you can either continue to Class 10 or go for NSQF Training and Certificate courses.

After Class 10, you can do the following:

1. Get some work experience as a helper in a workshop.

2. Go for ITI Training courses.

3. Go for NSQF Training courses.

4. Do Diploma courses in related courses.

5. AICTE approved B. Voc / D. Voc courses.

6. Complete Class 11-12 and then training courses.

Various private/public vocational training establishments across India offer related courses on:

1. Advanced Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

2. Mechanic (Domestic, Commercial Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Machines)

3. Mechanic (Refrigeration and Air-Conditioner)

4. Mechanic Refrigeration and Air-conditioning

5. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

6. Mechanic (Central Air conditioning Plant, Industrial cooling and Package Air conditioning)

7. Mechanic Air-conditioning Plant

Compentencies Required

1. You should have interests for Realistic Occupations. Realistic occupations involve more practical and hands-on activities than paperwork or office work. Realistic occupations often involve physical activities for getting things done using various tools and equipment.

2. You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.

3. You should have interests for Enterprising Occupations. Enterprising occupations involve taking initiatives, initiating actions, and planning to achieve goals, often business goals. These involve gathering resources and leading people to get things done. These require decision making, risk-taking, and action orientation.

4. You should have knowledge of Customer Service - Knowledge about how to provide customer services. This includes understanding customer needs, helping customers to use products and services, answering customer queries, handling customer complaints and grievances, and evaluating customer satisfaction.

5. Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

6. You are always or mostly careful about your actions and behaviour.

7. You are always calm or generally remain calm in most situations.

8. You are always practical or in most situations.

9. You always or mostly prefer to stick within a routine or carry out routine and repetitive activities.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

After your Training/Certificate Courses, you can get many jobs in this field as refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic either:

1. With small scale Air Conditioner installation and servicing units. Typically, these units work together with Air Conditioner manufacturing companies such as Carrier, Blue Star, Voltas, etc. OR

2. With large scale industries and infrastructure facilities such as an Auto manufacturing factory, a chemical factory, 5-star hotels, large hospitals, metro railways. They recruit their own AC & Refrigeration Technicians.

You may get an opportunity with large scale manufacturing and commercial facilities in various industries, such as:

1. Construction / Engineering / Cement / Metals

2. Heat Ventilation / Air Conditioning

3. Facility Management

4. Travel, Hotels, Restaurants, Airlines, Railways

5. Automobile / Auto Ancillary / Auto Components

6. Consumer Electronics / Appliances / Durables

7. Medical / Healthcare / Hospitals

8. Real Estate / Property

Career Growth

Growth opportunities are limited in this career in terms of growing into larger roles. From being a trainee or an apprentice, you can become a Technician and then a Senior Technician. You may get a supervisory role as well with 10+ years of experience.

Salary Offered  

1. In the beginning of your career as a trainee or apprentice, you will get about Rs. 7,000 – 13,000 or more per month.

2. With 2 or more years of experience, you may earn between Rs. 10,000 – 25,000 or more per month.

3. With 10+ years of experience, you may earn about Rs. 15,000 – 50,000 or more per month.

Monthly Earnings In Indian Rupee

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience 

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience 

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience 

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Information not available.

Work Activities 

1. Installing, repairing and maintaining equipment, devices, and products - installing, servicing, repairing, and maintaining equipment, devices, and products for usages in homes, workplaces, and industrial settings.

2. Inspecting equipment, systems, structures, and materials - Inspecting equipment, systems, structures, and materials to ascertain quality, performance, defects, causes of errors, etc.

3. Handling and moving objects and materials - Using hands or otherwise use physical strength to handle and move objects and materials; maneuver, install, lift, place, manipulate, etc.

4. Updating and using relevant knowledge - Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and use of the relevant knowledge in getting things done.