For every commercial refrigeration service, whether installation, maintenance, or troubleshooting, we rely on refrigeration technicians to do the job. As a career opportunity, refrigeration technicians are some of the most in-demand jobs in the world today due to the rising need for refrigeration, whether it be in the retail, commercial or industrial sectors worldwide.

Landing a spot in the refrigeration field is quite a fulfilling and rewarding career. Though it takes years of experience to fully master the craft, being a refrigeration technician has a lot of benefits and opens doors of opportunity for years to come.

The Future Looks Bright

The future is looking bright for refrigeration technicians and the whole HVAC/R industry as indicators show that jobs in the sector will be in demand in the years ahead. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be a 15% job growth from 2016 to 2026 for occupations in HVAC/R. The favorable outlook of the industry is mainly due to innovation in refrigeration technology and booming residential and commercial development. With technological advances in refrigeration systems geared toward energy efficiency and the use of natural refrigerants, business owners need refrigeration technicians to maintain their existing processes as well as perform any needed retrofits or upgrades.  At the same time, in an era where businesses are investing more and more in robotics and automation, a career in refrigeration offers employment stability since maintaining and servicing this type of equipment is best done by highly qualified and trained technicians.

Although there is an expected rise in demand for refrigeration technicians in the future, there is currently a shortage of skilled workers ready to handle the needs of refrigeration systems today. Plus, the need for new technicians is heightened by the loss of some of the experienced population of technicians who are preparing to retire. That is why the future of the refrigeration industry lies partly with the new breed of skilled workers coming from the younger generations interested in a career in the refrigeration field. With the advancements of technology heavily adopted by the refrigeration industry, individuals who grew up with technology, such as millennials and Gen Z’s, have a good head start in this field. The energy, vigor, and willingness to learn new skill set demonstrated by the younger generations are an advantage that will serve them well in their endeavors to successfully acquire and perform competently in a career path such as refrigeration.

Becoming a Refrigeration Technician

The industry needs to produce more talent to overcome the shortage of refrigeration technicians. Becoming a refrigeration technician predominantly requires a combination of training and certification. Advances in refrigeration technology over recent years, driven in part by the evolution of new sustainable refrigeration systems utilizing natural refrigerants, have increased the level of knowledge required by today’s technicians and added increased emphasis on the certification process. Other viable and alternative ways to gain entry into the field are through apprenticeships, community or online colleges, and vocational schools.

From installation to operation to maintenance and repair, refrigeration technicians are a key link in the chain of success for businesses employing refrigeration systems. As the world continues to progress and businesses relying on refrigeration flourish, the demand for refrigeration technicians is expected to rise accordingly. This offers more opportunities for people who desire to join the refrigeration industry, performing a job they will certainly find to be valuable, fulfilling, and at the same time offering a clear career path with advancement potential.