Progressing through the Membership Levels
Full Member — Level 1
Minimum CPD Requirements
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Experience
At least one of the following:
- Employed in a service, install, technical engineering or sales engineering capacity within the refrigeration/air conditioning sector for at least five years (post qualification) in a position of responsibility.
- Employed in a full time position of responsibility within the refrigeration/air conditioning sector for at least ten years.
Qualifications
At least one of the following:
- A National Craft Certificate, NVQ Qualification or Level 6 equivalent.
- A Level 7 Higher Diploma or Degree in a relevant discipline, e.g., Refrigeration, Building Services/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
- A Level 7 Degree — this can be in an unrelated discipline.
Guidelines for graduate engineers
Graduate engineers who have more than five years post qualification experience on the date of application should have refrigeration / AC industry experience such as:
- Considerable theoretical knowledge combined with practical skills
- Able to draw up technical specifications for clients and compile tenders/quotations
- Demonstrate experience at middle management level gained in industry, commerce or education
- Senior level appointment within the organisation, e.g., project, sales, production, plant engineer, lecturer, manager.
Full Member — Level 2
Minimum CPD requirements:
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Experience
At least one of the following:
- Employed in a service, install, technical engineering or sales engineering capacity within the refrigeration/air conditioning sector for at least ten years (post qualification) in the position of responsibility.
- Employed in be full time position of responsibility within the refrigeration/air conditioning sector for at least fifteen years.
Qualifications
At least one of the following:
- A National Craft Certificate/NVQ Qualification/equivalent.
- A Level 7 Degree in a relevant discipline, e.g., Refrigeration, Building Services/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
- A Level 8 Degree — this can be in an unrelated discipline.
Guidelines for graduate engineers
Graduate engineers who have more than ten years post qualification experience on the date of application should have refrigeration / AC industry experience such as:
- Considerable theoretical knowledge combined with practical skills.
- Able to draw up technical specifications for clients and compile tenders/quotations.
- Demonstrate experience at upper management level gained in industry, commerce or education.
- Senior level appointment within the organisation, e.g., Project, sales, production, plant engineer, lecturer, higher-level manager.
In addition, one Technical Document must be written and submitted by the applicant.
Fellow
Minimum CPD requirements:
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Experience
A fellow will have made a significant contribution to the industry over the last twenty years.
Qualifications
At least one of the following:
- A Level 7 Degree in a relevant discipline, e.g., Refrigeration, Building Services/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering.
- A Level 8 Degree — this can be in an unrelated discipline.
The minimum qualifying experience may be reduced for individual members that have attained relevant Postgraduate Qualifications.
Guidelines for graduate engineers
Graduate engineers who have more than twenty years post qualification experience on the date of application should have refrigeration / AC industry experience such as:
- Considerable theoretical knowledge combined with practical skills.
- Able to draw up technical specifications for clients and compile tenders/quotations.
- Demonstrate experience at upper management level gained in industry, commerce or education.
- Senior level appointment within the organisation, e.g., project, sales, production, plant engineer, lecturer, higher-level manager.
In addition, two Technical Documents must be written and submitted by the applicant.
Progressing through the Membership Levels
Apprentice/student
Experience
Receiving instruction in relevant subjects.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be EITHER a registered apprentice (FÁS/NVQ) working within refrigeration / air conditioning company OR a registered student in a relevant discipline.
Affiliate
Experience
Active interest in refrigeration or air conditioning.
Minimum Qualifications
Academic / professional qualifications are not required for this grade of membership.
Continuing Professional Development
CPD is not required for this grade.
Associate
Experience
- Employed in a service, install, technical engineering or sales engineering capacity within the refrigeration / air-conditioning sector for less than FIVE years post qualification.
- Employed in a full- time position within the refrigeration / air-conditioning sector for at least TEN years.
Minimum Qualifications
Must have a FAS National Craft Certificate / NVQ Qualification / equivalent OR a Higher Diploma / Degree in a relevant discipline, e.g., Refrigeration, Building Services / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering.
Continuing Professional Development
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Member
Experience
- Employed in a service, install, technical engineering or sales engineering capacity within the refrigeration / air conditioning sector for at least FIVE years (post qualification) in a position of responsibility.
- Employed in a full- time position of responsibility within the refrigeration / air conditioning sector for at least TEN years.
Minimum Qualifications
Must have a FAS National Craft Certificate / NVQ Qualification / equivalent OR a Higher Diploma / Degree in a relevant discipline, e.g., Refrigeration, Building Services / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering.
Continuing Professional Development
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Certified Member
Experience
Employed in service sector or sales capacity within the RAC sector for a minimum of 10 years (post qualification) in position of responsibility.
Minimum Qualifications
Must have a higher education diploma or degree. This can be an unrelated discipline.
Continuing Professional Development
The CPD Guidelines specify a recommended minimum number of 30 CPD hours to be achieved by members of each grade. Certified members should have at least TWO years at this level. Members who want to progress to a higher grade of membership will be required to achieve the recommended minimum above in addition to meeting a number of other criteria relating to qualifications and experience.
Fellow
This grade of membership is only available to existing members of the Institute. It is anticipated that a Fellow will have made a significant contribution to the industry over the last twenty years. The minimum qualifying experience may be reduced for individual members that have attained relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Honorary
This grade of membership will be awarded only at the discretion of the Council.