Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

Certificate program (KNEC)

Certificate 4 years

About Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET) programme

This refrigeration and air-conditioning certificate program trains students to design, install and maintain cooling systems in buildings like supermarkets, offices, schools, hospitals and food processing plants.

    Upon graduating with an NVCET certificate in refirgertaion and air conditioning, the trainees will be able to: 

    • survey buildings where cooling systems are to be fitted
    • discuss requirements with customers
    • prepare quotes for work
    • design and install systems
    • run quality checks to make sure systems are working properly and safely
    • diagnose and fix faults
    • plan maintenance

    Career prospects:

    Graduates of this program could cover one of two broad areas:

    • Refrigeration  designing, installing and maintaining cooling systems in places like supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, food processing plants and factories
    • Air-conditioning – installing and servicing systems that control air quality, temperature and humidity inside offices, schools, leisure complexes and other modern buildings

    Progression path:

    • Artisan Certificate in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology

    Objectives of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    Vocational education in refrigeration and air conditioning is designed to permit the student an opportunity to learn the concepts and practices of refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating equipment.

    The General Education component of the curriculum aims at providing the trainee with complete secondary education in critical subjects like English Language, Economics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Entrepreneurial Studies and Mathematics to enhance the understanding of machines, tools and materials of their trades and their application and as a foundation for post-secondary technical education for the above-average trainee.

    Hence, it is hoped that trainees who successfully complete their trade and general education may be able to compete with their secondary school counterparts for direct entry into the polytechnics or colleges of education (Technical). The Social Studies component is designed to broaden the trainee’s social skills and their understanding of the environment.

    Technical and Vocational Education and Training serves multiple purposes. A key purpose is the preparation of youth for work. This takes the form of learning and developing work-related skills and mastery of underlying knowledge and scientific principles. Work is broadly defined and therefore refers to both formal employment and self-employment. To support self-employment, TVET curricula often include entrepreneurship training. Related to this is the social reproduction and transformation of occupational and vocational practices

    From a development point of view, TVET facilitates economic growth by increasing the productivity of workers. The returns from increased output far exceed the costs of training, direct and indirect, leading to economic growth.

    TVET like any other form of education also facilitates socio-economic development by enhancing the capacity of individuals to adopt practices that are socially worthwhile.

    As a form of education similar to all others, TVET aims to develop a broad range of personal capabilities that characterize an educated person. Thus, the provision of broad-based knowledge seeks to ensure critic-creative thinking.

    TVET also aims at developing capacities for effective communication and effective interpersonal relations

    Entry requirements for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    The Minimum Entry Requirements are:

    • KCPE Certificate,
    • Any other equivalent qualification as approved by KNEC.

    The duration for the course is 4 years including compulsory industrial attachment

    • Level one takes 2 years
    • Level two takes 2 years

    Colleges offering Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    Kenya Coast National Polytechnic
    Mombasa County

    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    Eldoret Technical Training Institute
    Uasin Gishu County

    Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology (NVCET)

    The Kabete National Polytechnic
    Nairobi County