HVAC and refrigeration mechanic in Canada: your Express Entry path

Three ways into the Express Entry pool

A draw can only invite people already in the Express Entry pool, through one of three programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker. Experience must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job; this one is TEER 2.
• Federal Skilled Trades. It covers NOC Major Group 72 except sub-major group 726, and 72402 sits in group 724, so it counts. You need at least 2 years of full-time work (3,120 hours) in the trade within the last 5 years, plus either a full-time job offer of at least 1 year or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade.
• Canadian Experience Class. For skilled work experience already gained in Canada.

The trades draws

Trades draws rank only people with recent experience in a listed trade. The panel above shows the latest one and its cut-off. You need at least 12 months of full-time work (or the same part-time) in this occupation within the last 3 years. The months do not have to be in a row, and the work must match the NOC description of the job.

Getting certified to work

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic is a Red Seal trade under NOC 72402. The NOC says certification is compulsory in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and voluntary elsewhere.

• Ontario: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic is a compulsory trade, so you need a registered training agreement, a provisional certificate or a certificate of qualification to work. The Trade Equivalency Assessment is open to experience gained outside Canada and asks for experience at least equal to the trade's full apprenticeship, which is 9,000 hours.
• Alberta: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic is a compulsory certification trade, and the program includes Gasfitter – Class B. Its Trades Qualifier – Work Experience Program asks for 72 months (9,360 hours) of verifiable work in the trade, is meant for people who will live and work in Alberta, and does not by itself give you the right to work in Canada.

A Canadian certificate of qualification also opens the Federal Skilled Trades program without a job offer.

What HVAC mechanics earn

The panel above shows Job Bank's median hourly wage for this occupation across Canada, with pay by province and region on Job Bank.