Refrigeration Air Conditioning Apprentice
COMMERCIAL MAINTENANCE SERVICES UK LIMITED
Gateshead (NE10 0HN)
Closes in 22 days (Friday 9 October 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 17 September 2026
Contents
Summary
CMS (Manchester) one of the UK's leading specialist Facilities Maintenance companies, delivering support 24/7. Are you ready to learn a highly skilled trade that's in demand across industries? Our Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Apprenticeship offers hands-on training, expert mentorship, and a pathway to a rewarding career in a growing field.
- Wage
-
£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Refrigeration air conditioning and heat pump engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday (flexible)
08:00- 16:30
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 19 October 2026
- Duration
-
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 do at work As an Apprentice Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Technician, you will work alongside experienced engineers, learning how to install, service, maintain and repair a wide range of commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems. You will gain hands-on experience while working towards your apprenticeship qualification and develop the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career in the sector.
Duties will include:
- Adhering to company health and safety procedures, industry regulations and safe working practices
- Assisting qualified engineers with servicing, maintenance, fault-finding and installation activities
- Working on a variety of commercial and residential sites
- Learning how to install, commission and maintain air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump systems
- Diagnosing faults and assisting with repairs to ensure systems operate efficiently
- Carrying out planned preventative maintenance activities
- Completing job reports and company documentation accurately
- Using tools, equipment and testing devices safely and effectively
- Communicating professionally with customers and colleagues
- Understanding customer requirements to support the successful delivery of projects and maintenance works
- Developing technical knowledge of refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump technologies
Where you'll work
Cms Holdings Uk Ltd
Tyne House
Temple Street
Gateshead
NE10 0HN
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
TOTAL PEOPLE LIMITED
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
Training Provided
- Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Engineering Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard
- A combination of on-the-job and off-the-job training
- Day release training at our purpose-built training facility, Wythenshawe Campus (M22 9UH)
- Dedicated support from an experienced Learning Coach
- Regular progress reviews and development meetings
- Access to an electronic portfolio system (OneFile) to track your learning and achievements
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Mathematics (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Customer care skills
- Initiative
- IT skills
- Logical
- Number skills
- Patience
- Physical fitness
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
Other requirements
What We're Looking For
- A full UK driving licence is essential
- A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and willingness to learn
- Resilience and a proactive approach when facing challenges
Previous experience or education in electrical, plumbing, engineering, or a related subject would be advantageous but is not essential. We value enthusiasm, commitment, and a genuine interest in the industry.
Additional Information
- A company van will be provided for business use
- Company vehicles are fitted with telematics systems to promote safe driving practices and support ongoing development throughout your apprenticeship
What You'll Receive
- 33 days' annual leave, including Bank Holidays
- Overtime paid at time and a half
- Weekend work paid at double time
- Ongoing training and support from experienced engineers and dedicated apprenticeship staff
- The opportunity to build a long-term career within the air conditioning and refrigeration industry
About this employer
Maintenance
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship, you will have the opportunity to progress into a permanent role with CMS. We are committed to supporting your ongoing training and development, helping you build a rewarding long-term career within the air conditioning and refrigeration industry. As you gain qualifications, skills and experience, qualified engineers can typically earn between £32,000 and £35,000 per year, with excellent opportunities for further career progression and increased earning potential.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
TOTAL PEOPLE LIMITED
Jane Smith
janes@totalpeople.co.uk
0161 674 8158
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000054242.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Friday 9 October 2026 at 11:59pm)