Refrigeration Repair and Maintenance Service Provider
(Industry/Employer Input 2012-2013)
Revised November-December 2014
OVERVIEW
Refrigeration engineers and technicians provide safe installation, operation, maintenance,
and function of mechanical refrigeration/freezer systems; facilitate improvements; test and flush
refrigeration systems; ensure that policies and safety standards are met; and implement analysis and
modification of procedures as needed.
This was the second-most cited need in the seafood processor occupational needs assessment.
Employers noted the extreme difficulty in finding trained and experienced refrigeration personnel.
Not only are wages for comparable jobs in other industries higher and hard to compete with,
refrigeration positions tend to be seasonal rather than year-round. There is also a discrepancy
between offshore and onshore refrigeration wages. In addition, refrigeration positions may require
work in remote locations, in inclement conditions, and industry’s past experience has found that
technically qualified applicants often lack essential skills.
Education / Training / Licensure / Certification
 Two-year equivalent of certification/degree in refrigeration/HVAC (heating/ventilation/air
conditioning) systems (conventional and concentrated programs exists for entry level in
Alaska. At AVTEC and UAA-Mat Su)
 EPA Section 608 Universal certified
 Safety Training – 40 hours for first year operator: (This changes based on Don’s email?)
Class should be developed by including information about the following standards and
guidance to ensure students fully understand safety hazards and liabilities:
o Process Safety Management certification
o OSHA training standards via the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration
o Refrigeration Engineers and Technicians Association certification preferred
o EPA – RMP (Risk Management Plan)
Job-specific Skills: Technical
 Refrigeration personnel need a broad knowledge of the operation and maintenance of:
blast freezers, plate freezers, freezer holds, chill rooms, galley freezer/refrigerators, ice
machines, condensers, compression/boosters, industrial ammonia and Freon systems.
 This position requires the ability to read/test/adjust gauges and systems; climb stairs, ladders,
catwalks, and maneuver in close quarters/confined spaces; cope with urgent situations;
operate hand and power tools, refrigeration service/recovery equipment, electronic and
computerized equipment in a skilled and safe manner; wear appropriate safety gear and
equipment; troubleshoot systems and test components; and repair and maintain refrigeration
and cooling systems.
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
Additional knowledge needed for this position, and currently covered in AVTEC and UA
refrigeration trainings are:
o Thermodynamics
o Thorough understanding of EPA codes and regulations pertaining to refrigeration
systems (part of 608 certification)
o Oxy-acetylene torch use including brazing, welding and cutting
o Copper pipe installation including soldering
o General understanding of mechanical systems
o General understanding of modern electronic controls (DDC/PLC - Direct Digital
Programmable Logic Controller), including schematic reading and interpretation
Job-specific Skills Needed to Meet Future Technology Trends, Innovations, and/or
Regulatory Requests
 Valid driver’s license (prerequisite)
 Fabrication (sheet metal) is not included in refrigeration training, although smaller service
shops need employees who are more skilled in this area, but agreed this isn’t refrigeration
training.
 HACCP (FDA – quality control for food handling) is not an appropriate skill for refrigeration
training to provide.
 Safety training / Hazardous Materials training/certification is being addressed in this process
to assess current training offerings and identifying gaps.
o should be provided by industry/employers, not part of refrigeration training - See
Don’s email – it seems as if he’s saying something different now.
 On-the-job and vocational training, is being addressed through this process, see
Recommendations. (Meg needs to provide a reference)
Job-specific Skill Development Options
 Current options to acquire needed skills, is being addressed in this process to assess current
training offerings and identifying gaps.
Job-specific Skills: Employability / Soft Skills
 Either not identified, or included in text
Current Options to Acquire Needed Skills
 Either not identified, or included in text
Occupation-specific Action Steps
The Refrigeration Working Group which has been addressing workforce development issues specific
to this occupation during the October 2014-January 2015 timeframe, has commented about how it is,
or how it recommends addressing each of these suggestions from industry.
 Form an implementation team to ensure collaboration and improve transferability, which
includes representatives from all interested Alaska training/education providers and
appropriate industry associations and/or organizations. (Nov 2014: Initial team formed.)
 Connect with K-12 and job centers to increase awareness about refrigeration/ engineering as
an occupation, create career pathways, and develop strategies to effectively place students in
Alaska jobs. (Nov 2014: This is a maritime programmatic need, not refrigeration specific.)
 Offer a refrigeration education and training program in Alaska. (Nov 2014: AVTEC and UA
offer programs specific to maritime, other refrigeration trainings exist in Alaska.)
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
Offer apprenticeship programs that extend on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
(Nov 2014: Included in recommendations; already exists in Alaska, but used only rarely.)

Coordinate among industry to develop a pool of refrigeration candidates in the state and
identify schools in the Lower 48 that would likely admit these students, if in-state training is
not available. (Nov 2014: For industry to coordinate.)

Develop incentives that encourage refrigeration graduates to work in Alaska. (Nov 2014:
Some activities to do this are included in recommendations, e.g., scholarships.)

Incentivize refrigeration staff to welcome and mentor new employees. (Nov 2014: For
industry to develop and coordinate.)

Develop awareness building program for refrigeration occupations in Alaska:
o Include K-12 awareness activities and vocational/technical outreach. (Nov 2014:
Develop hybrid program to offer in high schools is included in recommendations.)
o Provide information about, access to, and funding for training and career
opportunities in refrigeration. (Nov 2014: Develop marketing program for
refrigeration training is included in recommendations.)
o Support school districts in offering seafood processing occupations awareness and
exploration activities. (Nov 2014: Should be broader than seafood procession
occupations; this should be part of a K-12 outreach awareness building strategy; not
specific to refrigeration.)
o Expand awareness of refrigeration opportunities to include specialty and advanced
areas. (Nov 2014 comment: This is a tactic that should be employed with students
already taking refrigeration classes/programs.)
o Work with post-secondary and vocational training programs to disseminate
information to students who may be interested in a refrigeration career. (Nov 2014:
This should be part of a K-12 outreach awareness building strategy; not specific to
refrigeration.)
o Advise potential students on educational opportunities within and outside Alaska.
(Nov 2014: For industry to develop and coordinate. Those teaching refrigeration in
Alaska can offer guidance, but these trainers’ roles are to fill their classes, and then to
coach their students to define and follow their individual paths – which may include
advanced out-of-state training.)

Incentivize refrigeration training (Nov 2014: This should be part of a K-12 outreach and
awareness building strategy; not specific to refrigeration. Should also be broader than K-12
by seeking those who want to change jobs/careers.)
o Provide incentives for students to enroll in refrigeration programs, including financial
aid and scholarships for part-time, working students, and workplace learning.
o Create or provide employment placement programs for students.
o Provide competitive compensation for refrigeration employees.

Explore training opportunities through an RFP process. (Nov 2014: Unclear what this means;
not addressed.)
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
Create new training forums (Nov 2014: Included in recommendations):
o Identify specialty priorities and achieve statewide process for specialty training.
o Offer shorter duration training programs between harvesting seasons.
o Create a technical preparation pathway for high school students interested in this
career area. Encourage them to take one or more courses from the university or
vocational/technical center as a way to build toward a career and future training.
o Create/promote career pathways.
o Provide job shadowing and basic skills strengthening for those interested in
refrigeration occupations.
o Provide continuing education to allow refrigeration workers to add to their
competencies and advance in their field.
Job Descriptions
November 2014 industry input: Job Descriptions are good/well done.
950.362-014 REFRIGERATING ENGINEER (any industry) alternate titles: cooling-system
operator; operating engineer; stationary engineer, refrigeration
Operates freon, carbon-dioxide, or ammonia gas-cooling systems to refrigerate rooms in
establishments, such as slaughtering and meat packing plants and dairies, to air-condition buildings,
or to provide refrigeration for industrial processes: Opens valves on equipment, such as compressors,
pumps, and condensers to prepare system for operation and starts equipment and auxiliary
machinery. Observes temperature, pressure and ampere readings for system and equipment and
adjusts controls or overrides automatic controls to obtain specified operation of equipment. Records
temperature, pressure, and other readings on logsheet at specified intervals. Measures density of
brine, using hydrometer, and adds calcium chloride to lower temperature to specified degree.
Connects hose from supply tank to compressor to replace coolant. Makes periodic inspection of
equipment and system to observe operating condition and need for repair or adjustment. Adjusts
controls to isolate and clear broken lines for repair or shuts down equipment. May repack pumps and
compressors, clean
condensers, and replace worn or defective parts using hand and power tools. When operating
refrigeration or air-conditioning equipment aboard ship, may be known as Reefer Engineer (water
trans.) and must have endorsement on Merchant Mariner's document as Refrigerating Engineer.
950.131-010 REFRIGERATING ENGINEER, HEAD (any industry) alternate titles:
refrigeration operator, head; refrigeration supervisor
Supervises and coordinates activities of REFRIGERATING ENGINEERS
(any industry) engaged in operating refrigerating equipment to provide ice or to cool refrigerating
rooms in establishments, such as ice cream plants, frozen food warehouses, and meat packing plants:
Directs REFRIGERATION MECHANICS (any industry) in repair of equipment. May participate in
repair work, using handtools. Performs duties as described under SUPERVISOR (any industry)
Master Title.
637.261-026 REFRIGERATION MECHANIC (any industry)
Installs and repairs industrial and commercial refrigerating systems according to blueprints and
engineering specifications, using knowledge of refrigeration, structural layout, and function and
design of components: Lays out reference points for installation of structural and functional
components, using measuring instruments, such as tape, transit, plumb bob, levels, and square. Drills
holes and installs mounting brackets and hangers into floor and walls of building. Lifts and aligns
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components into position, using hoist or block and tackle. Screws, bolts, rivets, welds, and brazes
parts to assemble structural and functional components, such a motors, controls, switches, gauges,
wiring harnesses, valves, pumps, compressors, condensers, cores, and pipes. Cuts, threads, and
connects pipe to functional components and water or power system of premises PIPEFITTER
(construction) 862.281-018|. Pumps specified gas or fluid into system. Starts system, observes
operation, reads gauges and instruments, and adjusts mechanisms, such as valves, controls, and
pumps to control level of fluid, pressure, and temperature in system. Dismantles malfunctioning
systems and tests components, using electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic testing equipment.
Replaces or adjusts defective or worn parts to repair systems. May insulate shells and cabinets of
systems. May install wiring to connect components to electric power source. May specialize in
installing systems and be designated Refrigeration-System Installer (any industry).
Excerpt from FSM Training Gap Analysis
Trade Workers: Refrigeration, Electrical, Production Equipment)
Another big challenge for processors is finding skilled engineers who can fix refrigeration units, line
equipment, and maintain other plant equipment/facilities. A few processors and a marine shipper said
finding engineers or general maintenance workers with ammonia certification and the ability to fix
onshore or offshore refrigeration units is especially difficult. Alaska’s seafood industry has seen a
great increase in refrigeration/ freezing capacity during the past 10 years.
In 2003, more than 50% of all commercially harvested Alaska salmon was canned. In 2011, only
20% of the salmon pack was sold in cans, the rest was delivered to fresh and frozen markets. In
addition to plants adding more frozen capacity, a large percentage of the fleet now features
Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) systems that require specialized technical skills.
Maintenance and repair of RSW and refrigeration systems is a big part of most plant engineers’ jobs.
Given the increase in refrigeration capacity, these skills are in high demand. The Alaska Marine
Advisory Program has addressed the situation by offering one-day workshops for fishermen so they
can troubleshoot simple problems and have the background to communicate with a repair technician
in order to fix a problem on the water. However, there are no programs available in Alaska to train
people in the complex refrigeration systems being installed in Alaska’s seafood plants.
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