Mobile transport refrigeration technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Mobile transport refrigeration technicians install, service, maintain, and repair refrigeration systems fitted to lorries, vans, trailers, and containers used in cold chain logistics. Apprentices gain skills across refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical systems, working to keep temperature-sensitive food, medicine, and goods safe. The role offers good employment prospects across food distribution, pharmaceutical logistics, and transport fleet operators.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Refrigeration principles and thermodynamic theory
F-gas regulations and safe handling of refrigerants
Electrical and electronic systems in transport refrigeration units
Diagnosing faults using diagnostic tools and technical data
Safe working practices around vehicles and refrigerants
Reading wiring diagrams and refrigeration schematics
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Service and maintain transport refrigeration units to manufacturer schedules
Diagnose and repair refrigeration, electrical, and mechanical faults
Handle and recover refrigerants safely under F-gas regulations
Test repaired units for correct temperature performance
Complete job records and warranty documentation accurately
Work on site at customer depots or respond to breakdowns
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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