Because technicians frequently deal directly with the public, they should be courteous and tactful, especially when dealing with an aggravated customer. They also should be in good physical condition because they sometimes have to lift and move heavy equipment. Provisions of the Clean Air Act require that all air-conditioning and refrigeration technicians be certified by November 1994 to work on systems involving refrigerant recovery or recycling. RSES also offers a basic self-study course for individuals with limited experience. Advancement usually takes the form of higher wages.
Some technicians advance to positions as supervisors.
Those with sufficient money and managerial skill can open their own contracting business. Job Outlook Job prospects for air-conditioning, heating, and refrigeration technicians are expected to be very good. In addition to jobs created by economic growth, thousands of openings will result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Although relatively few heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians transfer to other occupations reflecting their lengthy investment in training and the relatively high wages and benefits in this trade the number of retirements is expected to rise as more of these workers reach retirement age. Employment of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration technicians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005.