Engineering

Artisan in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

The Artisan in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is a TVET-CDACC Level 4 competency-based programme that trains students in fundamental refrigeration and air conditioning support skills. The course is examined by TVET-CDACC and offered across accredited TVET institutions in Kenya. Students learn basic refrigeration, air conditioning assistance, equipment handling, gas handling, tool use, and workshop safety.

The curriculum covers basic units including communication skills, numeracy skills, digital literacy, entrepreneurial skills, employability skills, environmental literacy, and occupational safety and health practices. Core units focus on basic refrigeration, air conditioning assistance, equipment handling, gas handling, tool usage, cleaning, and industrial attachment in a refrigeration and air conditioning workshop.

Kenya's hospitality sector, healthcare facilities, and commercial buildings create demand for entry-level refrigeration and air conditioning support personnel. Hotels, hospitals, supermarkets, and air conditioning service companies require trained assistants for equipment maintenance, installation support, and servicing tasks.

Training combines classroom theory with practical sessions in workshop environments. Students practice equipment handling, gas handling, tool use, basic maintenance, and cleaning under supervised conditions. The programme includes industrial attachment in refrigeration workshops or air conditioning service companies where students apply their skills in real service environments.

Graduates work as refrigeration assistants, air conditioning helpers, equipment handlers, and workshop assistants in refrigeration and air conditioning service companies, hotels, hospitals, and supermarkets. The qualification provides a foundation for progression to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 5 and Level 6 for specialised refrigeration technology and engineering roles.

This programme is suitable for KCSE certificate holders with a mean grade of E or KCPE certificate who are interested in mechanical and cooling systems and seeking entry-level positions in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 45,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Artisan Certificate

What you study

6 subjects

Refrigeration Principles
Air Conditioning Systems
Cooling Components
Installation Procedures
Maintenance Practices
Safety Protocols

Modules

10 in the programme

Introduction to Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Overview of HVAC industry, cooling systems, and safety procedures in refrigeration workshops.
Refrigeration Tools and Equipment
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Identification, use, and maintenance of refrigeration tools, gauges, and HVAC equipment.
Refrigeration Principles
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
Basic refrigeration cycles, thermodynamics, cooling principles, and heat transfer fundamentals for understanding refrigeration system operations.
Refrigeration Components
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion valves, and refrigeration system components.
Air Conditioning Systems
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Air conditioning principles, split systems, package units, AC system types, and basic air conditioning operation for HVAC installation work.
Installation Procedures
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Installation of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, piping, and electrical connections.
Maintenance Practices
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Routine maintenance, cleaning, servicing, and preventive maintenance procedures.
Troubleshooting
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Fault diagnosis, problem identification, and repair procedures for refrigeration and AC systems.
Workshop Safety
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Occupational health and safety, personal protective equipment, and safe working practices.
Entrepreneurship Skills
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Basic business skills for self-employment including HVAC business management and marketing.

Specialisations

Refrigeration
Focus on refrigeration systems, cold storage, and cooling equipment including installation support, maintenance, and basic refrigeration servicing.
Commercial HVAC
Focus on commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems including installation support, maintenance, and basic commercial HVAC servicing.
Air Conditioning
Specialisation in air conditioning systems installation and maintenance including split systems, package units, and basic AC servicing and repair.
Equipment Servicing
Basic equipment servicing support including cleaning, filter replacement, gas checking, and routine maintenance of refrigeration and air conditioning units.

A day as a student

Students attend practical workshop sessions, theory classes, and site visits to gain hands-on HVAC skills.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for HVAC technicians due to growing construction and commercial development.
Practical hands-on training with immediate employability after programme completion.
Opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship with minimal capital investment.

Against it

Work may involve working in confined spaces, at heights, and in various weather conditions.
Exposure to refrigerants and chemicals requires proper safety precautions and certification.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 332 engineering courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Kasarani TVC67k at Nairobi Technical Training Institute

Private39k to 45k

39k at Vitech Training Institute45k at ICS College

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public TVET 67,189/yr (kenyaeducationguide.com). Private: Vitech 39K, ICS 45K/yr.

TVET funding available for eligible students. Some institutions offer bursaries based on financial need.

Funding options

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

TVET Funding
Government fundingKenyan
Kenyan citizens enrolled in accredited TVET institutions, based on financial need and programme requirements.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKenyan
Residents of respective counties, targeting orphans, learners from low-income households, students with disabilities, and vulnerable youth.
National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF)
BursaryKenyan
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds including low-income families, orphaned children, and persons with disabilities.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: E mean grade at KCSE
Alternative entry: Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificate or equivalent qualification. Adults with relevant experience may also apply.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Practical Assessments
Practicum50% of the mark
Ongoing evaluation of practical skills in workshop sessions throughout the training period.
Theory Tests
Test30% of the mark
Written tests on refrigeration theory, HVAC principles, and cooling systems.
Trade Test
Exam100% of the mark
NITA national examination for artisan certification in refrigeration and air conditioning.
Final Practical Project
Project20% of the mark
Completion of a comprehensive practical project demonstrating HVAC skills.

Accreditation

Accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA). The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE), the statutory body responsible for quality assurance and regulation of university education in Kenya.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
NationalRequired
Mandatory accreditation for all TVET institutions and programmes in Kenya.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Air Conditioning Installer
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 58,000
Install air conditioning systems in residential and commercial buildings.
Refrigeration Technician
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 55,000
Install, maintain, and repair refrigeration systems and cooling equipment.
Cooling System Technician
Medium demandKsh 29,000 to Ksh 52,000
Work with various cooling systems including refrigeration and air conditioning.
HVAC Maintenance Worker
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 50,000
Perform maintenance and servicing of refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
Self-employed HVAC Technician
Medium demandKsh 25,000 to Ksh 65,000
Operate own HVAC business providing installation and maintenance services.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work in refrigeration, air conditioning, and cooling systems across Kenya's construction and commercial sectors.