Apprentice Industrial Refrigeration Engineer - Walsall
JOHNSON CONTROLS BUILDING EFFICIENCY UK LIMITED
Walsall (WS9 8EJ)
Closes on Friday 10 April 2026
Posted on 10 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Chill out, we’ve got your career covered? 💧
Join Johnson Controls and dive into the world of Industrial Refrigeration engineering and technology! We’re not talking the fridge in your home, but the massive refrigeration systems used in commercial and industrial buildings. Wait till you see the size of these fridges.
- Wage
-
£16,640 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
All equipment + uniform + gear.
25 days holiday + bank holidays.
Access to Company pension scheme, overtime and travel payments where applicable.
- Training course
- Refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
8:30am- 5.00pm, or as per business needs. Days to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
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3 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
What You’ll Be Up To:
- On-the-Job Work Experience: You'll spend significant time at our client sites, where you'll be tasked with installing, maintaining, and repairing industrial refrigeration equipment (IREF). This hands-on experience will provide you with valuable insights into the diverse applications of systems across various environments. When trained you will be responsible for troubleshooting and resolving issues with industrial refrigeration/chiller systems
- Collaboration with Qualified Engineers: Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll work closely with qualified Johnson Controls Engineers who will serve as mentors, guiding you in developing your IREF skills. This collaborative environment ensures that you receive the support and guidance needed to succeed in your role.
- Focus on Energy Efficiency: You may have the responsibility of optimising the energy efficiency of the buildings you work in. This could involve analysing systems, identifying areas for improvement, and making recommendations to building owners to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability
- Customer-Facing Element: This role combines manual work with a customer-facing element, where you'll interact with clients to understand their specific needs and deliver top-notch service.
- Effective communication and professionalism are key as you represent Johnson Controls in customer interactions
- Opportunities for Growth: Throughout your apprenticeship, you'll have the opportunity to grow and apply the skills and knowledge gained in college in a real workplace setting. This experiential learning approach ensures that you develop both technical competencies and practical skills essential for success in the field
Where you'll work
Unit 1, Optical Park
Middlemore Lane West, Aldridge
Walsall
WS9 8EJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
Training course
Refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety, regulations and standards. Apply safe systems of work, including carrying out a risk assessment.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and standards for example prevention of refrigerant emissions, segregate resources for reuse and, recycling and disposal of waste.
- Position, fix, joint and test, pipework and electrical circuits.
- Test, charge with refrigerant and commission vapour compression systems.
- Test and commission electrical and electronic control systems applicable to vapour compression systems.
- Interpret information and data from log books and diagrams.
- perform servicing, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on vapour compression systems including routine and reactive maintenance, installation of components and safe electrical isolation of supply.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on electrical and electrical control systems applicable to vapour compression systems including carrying out safe isolation procedures.
- Decommission vapour compression systems, safe recovery and disposal of equipment, hazardous waste refrigerant transfer.
- Decommission electrical and electronic systems applicable to vapour compression systems.
- Adjust vapour compression system operating parameters to achieve reductions in carbon emissions.
- Maximise performance of vapour compression systems by determining heating and cooling loads and selecting and balancing components and systems.
- Retrofit and retro fill existing equipment to lower GWP refrigerants.
- Mitigate risks of refrigerants including environmental, toxicity and flammability hazards.
- Identify and use tools and equipment.
- Communicate with others verbally and in writing.
- Complete a customer handover.
- Work collaboratively with clients or stakeholders to solve problems.
- Apply project leadership techniques and principles.
- Use information and digital technology and comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations.
- Apply ethical principles.
- Comply with health and safety, regulations and standards. Apply safe systems of work, including carrying out a risk assessment.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and standards for example prevention of refrigerant emissions, segregate resources for reuse and, recycling and disposal of waste.
- Position, fix, joint and test, pipework and electrical circuits.
- Test, charge with refrigerant and commission vapour compression systems.
- Test and commission electrical and electronic control systems applicable to vapour compression systems.
- Interpret information and data from log books and diagrams.
- perform servicing, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on vapour compression systems including routine and reactive maintenance, installation of components and safe electrical isolation of supply.
- Perform routine service, maintenance, fault diagnosis and rectification procedures and techniques on electrical and electrical control systems applicable to vapour compression systems including carrying out safe isolation procedures.
- Decommission vapour compression systems, safe recovery and disposal of equipment, hazardous waste refrigerant transfer.
- Decommission electrical and electronic systems applicable to vapour compression systems.
- Adjust vapour compression system operating parameters to achieve reductions in carbon emissions.
- Maximise performance of vapour compression systems by determining heating and cooling loads and selecting and balancing components and systems.
- Retrofit and retro fill existing equipment to lower GWP refrigerants.
- Mitigate risks of refrigerants including environmental, toxicity and flammability hazards.
- Identify and use tools and equipment.
- Communicate with others verbally and in writing.
- Complete a customer handover.
- Work collaboratively with clients or stakeholders to solve problems.
- Apply project leadership techniques and principles.
- Use information and digital technology and comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations.
- Apply ethical principles.
Training schedule
- Enrol in a Level 3 Refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering qualification delivered by College of North West London alongside fellow Johnson Controls apprentices
- Engage in block release basis training and receive on-the-job guidance from experienced mentors and engineers
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 5)
- Maths (grade Grade 5)
Other in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
You will cover mainly the midlands however you will need to be flexible to travel further afield into the North and South when required. Overnight stays for this role will be frequent.
About this employer
Johnson Controls is a global leader in technology and industry, serving customers in over 150 countries. Our mission is to create intelligent buildings, efficient energy solutions, and integrated infrastructure. We welcome individuals with a passion for engineering to join us in shaping a better tomorrow through our diverse range of projects and opportunities.
http://www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
A company van may be provided following the successful completion of all required company compliance checks.
After this apprenticeship
- Upon completion of this apprenticeship there are many internal opportunities within the company
- Many of our previous apprentices have become lead engineers and take control of their own team and projects
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014441.
Apply now
Closes on Friday 10 April 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.