If you’re a recent grad in power engineering, you’re probably planning what to do next. At TFM, we’re setting up our grads for success, and the next step to success is getting your hours of qualifying time. Especially if you’re pursuing a career as a refrigeration plant operator, it’s important to supplement your learning with experience.
TFM offers specialized support to new grads, including a work experience program and boiler/refrigeration safety seminars that go beyond the theory in the classroom. In this post, we’ll break down how you can improve your career safely and confidently.
Certified Refrigeration Plant Operators
HVAC and industrial cooling systems are critical in hospitals, food processing, cold storage facilities, and many other industries. Regulations require qualified personnel to operate these systems. Skilled personnel are 4th class and certified in refrigeration plant operations. This is considered a high-responsibility position, creating a steady but demanding job requiring hands-on experience.
Although your expertise as a power engineer will extend beyond tasks involving refrigeration, specializing in this field will mean you will oversee tasks like:
- Check all pressures, temperatures, and levels to ensure the plant operates within its parameters.
- Removing oil from low-pressure areas and adding oil to compressors
- Conducting refrigeration plant reclaims
- Handling evaporative condensers, preventative maintenance
- Proper condenser water treatment
- Secondary refrigerant analysis
Getting In Hours And Confidence
As a new graduate, you’re facing a catch-22; on one hand, you need hours to be able to work, but on the other hand, you need work to get in those hours. TFM’s work experience program is closing this gap by placing our new grads in a supportive, supervised environment. You can expect that in this position, grads will:
- Accumulate firing time
- Learn site-specific operations
- Build accurate references and confidence
These programs are structured and oriented to maintain safety standards and align with Technical Safety BC logbook requirements. You’ll familiarize yourself with all the safety protocols and gain your work hours.
Boiler & Refrigeration Safety Seminars
Receiving your power engineering certification provides you with a solid foundation, but real safety awareness comes from understanding incidents and case studies. TFM boiler and refrigeration safety seminars teach plant operators:
- Ammonia systems emergency response
- Common inspection fails
- Safe work procedures for operating plants
Experienced professionals lead the Refrigeration Basic Safety Awareness course. It is designed to provide basic safety knowledge. The course meets the criteria for the examination “Refrigeration Basic Safety Awareness Certificate” as administered by TSBC.
From The Classroom To The Control Room
Employers hiring for 4th class refrigeration operators are looking for experienced refrigeration operators with logged qualifying time and proof of safety awareness. Participating in the refrigeration safety seminars and the work experience program at TFM adds to your soft skills and improves your eligibility for future employment. Potential candidates who’ve completed TFM’s programs are able to enter an interview with real experience and not theory-based answers.
If you’re about to graduate or have graduated recently, you don’t need to figure out your next steps alone. TFM’s work experience placements and safety seminars give you the tools you need to become a confident, job-ready refrigeration plant operator. Contact TFM today to learn how you can apply for your next opportunity.