Completing an apprenticeship is the first step toward a strong and rewarding career in HVAC, earning you a nationally recognised qualification that can take you anywhere. With VAE offices across Australia, New Zealand, and PNG you’ll have opportunities to grow, learn, and build your future as part of a leading team in the industry.
Apprenticeship in Refrigeration
An apprenticeship in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning is a hands-on pathway into a dynamic and in-demand trade. As an apprentice, you’ll learn to install, maintain, and repair a wide range of HVAC systems, working with both mechanical components and advanced technology. You’ll gain real-world experience on-site while completing your formal training, setting you up with a nationally recognised qualification. With growing demand across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors—and opportunities at VAE offices throughout Australia and New Zealand—a refrigeration apprenticeship opens the door to a stable, rewarding, and future-focused career.
Be a step ahead … stand out in a crowd.
Additional things to have that are either an advantage to have or will be needed prior to starting:
At VAE Group, we’re passionate about developing the next generation of industry leaders through our graduate pathways. We offer a variety of entry points for graduates across disciplines, each designed to provide hands-on experience, strong mentorship, and exposure to real-world projects from day one. Our graduate programs are tailored to help individuals build technical skills, grow professionally, and become an integral part of high-performing project teams.
Key graduate opportunities include roles in
Each pathway is backed by ongoing training and development, with clear progression opportunities across our national and international operations. At VAE, graduates aren’t just starting jobs—they’re launching long-term careers in an innovative, people-focused organisation that’s leading the way in smarter building performance.
Head to our HR page and find out more about what it means to be apart of VAE, our Culture, Benefits, and more …
At VAE Group, we offer a wide range of career opportunities across multiple disciplines that contribute to the success of our industry-leading projects. Our team is made up of passionate professionals who collaborate across all phases of the building lifecycle, from concept and design to delivery and maintenance. Whether you’re working on-site, behind the scenes, or on the frontlines of technology, there’s a place for your skills and growth at VAE.
Our key career pathways include:
Each role plays a vital part in delivering our promise of Built in Certainty, and we’re always looking for driven, team-oriented individuals to join us in shaping the future of building performance.
VAE Group offers exciting apprenticeship opportunities across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Our locations span Queensland, New South Wales, ACT and the Northern Territory, with branches and opportunities spanning from our Head Office in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Bundaberg, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Sydney, Newcastle, and Canberra. Internationally, our New Zealand Head Office is based in Christchurch, with teams based across Tauranga, North Palmerston and Wellington, as well as Port Moresby in PNG.
Each of these regions presents a unique chance to work on high-profile projects in sectors such as healthcare, education, commercial infrastructure, government, and more. These varied locations allow our team members to experience different work cultures, new environments, and contribute to meaningful projects — locally and globally.
We’re proud to offer roles that blend hands-on experience with technical innovation. Wherever you’re based, you’ll be supported by a team that values safety, teamwork and career development at every step.
Whether you prefer coastal cities, regional centres, or industrial capital hubs, our growing footprint means there’s a place for your skills and ambition in the VAE network.
As part of our Apprentice Training Program, our apprentices put their creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to the test for a team challenge and a chance to give back to the community. 🛹🙌
Working together, they designed and built skateboards that were donated to Inala Community Centre, where they'll be gifted to children who will enjoy them for years to come. Alongside the skateboards, a BMX bike was branded with VAE colours and included in the donation, giving one more child something to smile about. 🚲
It was incredible to see the enthusiasm and teamwork on display throughout the day. It was a reminder that being an apprentice isn't just about developing technical skills; it's about building confidence, connections, and make a positive impact along the way.
A huge thank you to Banana Life for creating such an inspiring experience, and to our apprentices for bringing energy, enthusiasm, and heart to every part of the challenge.
Interested in where an apprenticeship could take you? Reach out!
Over our 2-day apprentice training program, VAE welcomed Kirby HVACR, SuperCool Group, and Actrol for a practical, knowledge-packed session focused on HVAC&R maintenance, refrigeration fundamentals, product knowledge and trade skills.
The training covered the importance of preventative maintenance, why we do it, how it helps protect and prolong the life of our clients’ assets, and why using the right product for the right application is critical when carrying out coil cleans and drain maintenance.
The apprentices worked with SuperCool’s Viper HVAC cleaning range, learning about coil cleaners, evaporator cleaners, pan and drain treatments, leak detection solutions and applicators designed for HVAC&R technicians. The session was then put into practice with hands-on coil cleaning, giving the team real experience using the products in the field.
Actrol delivered valuable training on future refrigerants and basics of refrigeration systems. The session covered correct TX valve selection and the impact an incorrect valve can have on system performance, efficiency, reliability and overall operation.
This was far more than a presentation. The team got involved, asked questions, worked through real applications and showed a high level of engagement throughout the training. Across the 2 days, they completed practical trade exercises including cutting pipe, deburring, welding and leak testing. They put gauges on a working coldroom, checked system operation, and tested air-on and air-off temperatures — turning theory into hands-on learning. 🙌 A big thank you to Kirby, SuperCool and Actrol for their time, support and valuable industry knowledge.
We believe strong maintenance starts with strong training! It’s great to see our apprentices building the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to support their futures within HVAC&R.
A pretty cool way to spend
#WorldRefrigerationDay! ❄️
As part of our VAE apprentice program, our apprentices were invited to Woolworths Doolandella for a behind-the-scenes tour of the systems that keep everyday life running.
The session started with a great presentation on just how important refrigeration and air conditioning really are, from food security and healthcare to digital infrastructure, and the growing demand for skilled #HVACR technicians across the industry.
The tour covered everything from the plantroom and refrigeration systems that power the store’s refrigeration and air conditioning, through to the rooftop gas coolers and AHUs.
This year’s theme, Cool Intelligence, highlights the smart decisions, technical knowledge and skills required behind these systems, because every smart system requires skilled people who understand how to install, maintain and fix it.
With a skyrocketing need for refrigeration and air conditioning, and a growing national skills shortage, it was a pretty powerful reminder of how much opportunity exists for those beginning their careers in HVAC&R.
Thank you to Woolworths for having us, the whole tour was incredibly well hosted and informative. Opportunities like this are such a great way for apprentices to see where their trade can take them, and gain valuable industry insight in a real-world environment.
VAE Head Office in Brisbane was buzzing with energy as apprentices from various offices across Australia came together for two days of intensive in-house apprenticeship training. This national gathering was all about growing technical skills, sharing knowledge, improving life skills and strengthening connections within our future HVAC leaders.
Click on the image above to find out more
VAE NZ hosting our in-house Year 2 block course for our apprentices at our Christchurch fabrication shop. The hands-on training covered a wide range of welding types and skills, scaffolding competencies, and essential knowledge on seismic elements for building services—aligning perfectly with our expertise in prefabricated modular constructions and seismic building capability.
Click on the image above to find out more
Huge congratulations to Josh Sagigi from VAE for his incredible achievement!
Josh has been awarded the Refrigeration Apprentice of the Year at the Qld TAFE Cairns Trade Excellence Awards last month. His dedication, passion, and outstanding performance truly set him apart as an exceptional trade student.
Josh's hard work and positive attitude have paid off, and we couldn't be prouder to celebrate his success. Congratulations to all the other winners, and nominees!
VAE is proud to acknowledge the support of the Kirby Apprentice Fund, which has made the certified CO2 training with Beijer Ref Academy possible for so many nextgen HVAC rising stars … including our very own Josh Abela ⭐️
Congratulations on securing this great opportunity Josh; for your ongoing hard work & dedication working as part of VAE’s Cairns FNQ team 🎉
VAE apprentice, Thomas Williams received the Hutchinson Builders Safety Award for the month of May on the Thursday Island Health (TIH) Facilities Upgrade Project.
Thomas is the first VAE recipient of the Hutchies Safety award on the TIH project, where VAE are currently completing the mechanical services.
Thomas received the Safety Award for the way in which he conducts himself on site and is 100% on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The Hutchies award includes Hutchies branded backpack, pants, and football.
Congratulations Thomas, keep up the good work!
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