Engineering

Diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

The Diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is a TVET CDACC Level 6 qualification that equips learners with competencies to install, maintain, repair, and design refrigeration and air conditioning systems. It is offered at over 12 TVET institutions across Kenya, including national polytechnics and technical universities.

The curriculum covers thermodynamics and heat transfer, refrigeration principles, air conditioning systems, electrical and electronic principles, pipe fitting and brazing, system installation and commissioning, fault diagnosis and repair, cold room and commercial refrigeration, automotive air conditioning, and HVAC system design. Trainees also learn communication skills, ICT, and entrepreneurship.

The programme is accredited by TVET CDACC under the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 6 qualification (code 071306T4RAC) and examined by KNEC in most institutions. Graduates qualify for roles as refrigeration and air conditioning technicians, HVAC technicians, cooling system specialists, and refrigeration installers.

Training combines classroom theory with extensive workshop practicals using refrigeration units, air conditioning systems, brazing equipment, vacuum pumps, refrigerant recovery machines, and electrical testing instruments. Industrial attachment places students in HVAC companies, cold storage facilities, hotels, or building services firms.

Graduates find employment in HVAC companies, hotels, cold storage facilities, hospitals, supermarkets, and building services. Major employers include Daikin, Samsung, LG service centres, hotel chains, and numerous HVAC installation companies. Many graduates establish their own HVAC servicing businesses.

The programme suits KCSE graduates with a mean grade of C- who have an interest in electrical and mechanical systems. It provides a pathway to degree programmes in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.

Duration: 2-3 years
Public, up to: Ksh 85,000
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: 20 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

10 subjects

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Refrigeration Principles and Systems
Air Conditioning Systems
Electrical and Electronic Principles
Pipe Fitting and Brazing
System Installation and Commissioning
Fault Diagnosis and Repair
Cold Room and Commercial Refrigeration
Automotive Air Conditioning
HVAC System Design

Modules

12 in the programme

Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Thermodynamic principles, heat transfer mechanisms, and their application for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Communication Skills and ICT
Year 1Semester 13 creditsElective
Business communication, digital literacy, and ICT applications in HVAC industry for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Refrigeration Principles and Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Electrical and Electronic Principles
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Electrical circuits, motors, controls, and electronic systems used in for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Pipe Fitting and Brazing
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Pipe work installation, brazing, soldering, and leak detection techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Air Conditioning Systems
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Window, split, central, and VRF air conditioning systems, including for professional practice and competency development in the field.
System Installation and Commissioning
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Installation procedures, system charging, testing, commissioning for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Cold Room and Commercial Refrigeration
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Cold room design, commercial display cabinets, freezer systems for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Fault Diagnosis and Repair
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Systematic troubleshooting, fault identification, repair techniques for professional practice and competency development in the field.
HVAC System Design
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Load calculations, duct design, system sizing, and HVAC design principles for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Automotive Air Conditioning
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Vehicle AC systems, compressor types, climate control, and automotive for professional practice and competency development in the field.
Building Services Engineering
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Integration of HVAC with building services, ventilation, indoor air quality for professional practice and competency development in the field.

Specialisations

Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration
Focuses on cold rooms, chillers, commercial display cabinets, and industrial cooling systems, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
HVAC System Design and Building Services
Focuses on HVAC design, ductwork, ventilation, and building services integration, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Automotive Air Conditioning
Focuses on vehicle climate control systems, automotive compressors, and mobile refrigeration, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.
Refrigerant Management and Green Technology
Focuses on environmentally friendly refrigerants, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance, with emphasis on practical application in Kenyan industry contexts and compliance with relevant national standards and regulatory requirements.

A day as a student

A typical day begins at 8:00 AM with a theory session on thermodynamics or electrical principles, followed by a workshop practical installing, servicing, or repairing refrigeration and air conditioning units. Afternoons often involve brazing and pipe fitting exercises, fault diagnosis simulations, or HVAC system design sessions. Industrial attachment places students in HVAC companies, cold storage facilities, or building services firms.

The trade offs

In its favour

Growing demand driven by urbanisation, rising temperatures, and expansion of hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors
Strong self-employment potential with relatively low startup costs for HVAC servicing businesses
Skills are transferable across residential, commercial, industrial, and automotive sectors

Against it

Work involves handling refrigerants and electrical systems requiring strict safety compliance
Field work may involve working in confined spaces, rooftops, or uncomfortable temperature conditions

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 85k

67k at Kabete National Polytechnic85k at Technical University of Mombasa

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

TVET 67,189/yr; TUM 85,000/yr (newsblaze.co.ke). Private: unverified.

HELB offers loans and bursaries for TVET students. County government bursaries and NG-CDF funds are widely available. Some HVAC companies offer sponsorship programmes for students committed to working in the industry.

Funding options

HELB TVET Loan and Bursary
County Government Bursaries
NG-CDF Constituency Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

NG-CDF Bursary
BursaryKsh 15,000Kenyan
Constituency-based bursary for needy students
HELB TVET/Diploma Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
All TVET students enrolled in KUCCPS-placed programmes

Getting in

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

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C-
Alternative entry: Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 5, or equivalent qualification as determined by KNQA.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Coursework30% of the mark
Internal assessments including theory tests, workshop practicals, and project work
KNEC/CDACC End-of-Module Examinations
Examination70% of the mark
National examinations at the end of each module covering theory and practical components
Industrial Attachment Assessment
Practical100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during three-month HVAC company or building services placement

Accreditation

Accredited by TVET CDACC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 6, code 071306T4RAC) and regulated by TVETA. Most institutions offer the KNEC-examined variant. NITA also offers grade tests in refrigeration and air conditioning.

Accredited by

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council
Curriculum and certificationRequired
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 6, code 071306T4RAC
Kenya National Examinations Council
ExaminationRequired
Primary examination body for most institutions offering this diploma
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
Institutional regulationRequired

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

5 roles

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician
High demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 50,000
Installs, services, and repairs refrigeration and air conditioning systems in residential and commercial settings
HVAC Technician
High demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 60,000
Maintains and troubleshoots heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in buildings
Cooling System Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 65,000
Specialises in commercial and industrial cooling systems including cold rooms and chillers
Refrigeration Installer
High demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 45,000
Installs refrigeration systems in supermarkets, cold storage facilities, and food processing plants
Building Services Technician
Moderate demandKsh 40,000 to Ksh 80,000
Maintains building mechanical systems including HVAC, ventilation, and climate control

Graduate outcomes

Graduates are in high demand as Kenya experiences rising temperatures, urbanisation, and growth in hospitality, retail, and healthcare sectors requiring HVAC systems. Entry-level technicians earn KSH 30,000 to KSH 45,000 per month, with experienced HVAC supervisors earning KSH 60,000 to KSH 100,000+ per month.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Brazing and Soldering Equipment
EquipmentPrimary
Oxy-acetylene torches and brazing kits for pipe joining and system repairs
Vacuum Pump and Manifold Gauge Set
EquipmentPrimary
Essential tools for system evacuation, charging, and pressure testing
Electrical Testing Instruments
Equipment
Multimeters, clamp meters, and electrical testers for diagnosing electrical faults
Refrigerant Recovery Machine
EquipmentPrimary
Equipment for recovering, recycling, and recharging refrigerants in compliance with environmental regulations

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Refrigeration and air conditioning is just about fixing home AC units
The diploma covers complex HVAC systems, commercial refrigeration, cold rooms, automotive air conditioning, and building services engineering, opening doors to diverse industrial and commercial sectors.
There is limited demand for HVAC technicians in Kenya
Rising temperatures, urbanisation, growth in hospitality and retail sectors, and expansion of cold chain logistics for food and medical supplies create strong and growing demand for qualified HVAC technicians.