Are Transport Refrigeration Careers in High Demand?
Refrigerated transport is a critical component to the U.S. supply chain, representing a multi-billion-dollar industry that employs tens of thousands of workers throughout the country1. Refrigerated transport is the reason your produce, meats, seafood, and frozen meals make it to you safely. The cold transport chain also ensures that flowers and plants, and even medications maintain optimal temperature whether they come from the next city over or across the country.
But it isn’t just the people who load and drive the trucks who keep things humming along smoothly. The sector would grind to a halt without the trained technicians who keep refrigerated (reefer) trucks and refrigeration units running. Reefer trucks have specialized refrigeration units that maintain set temperatures in their cargo areas. The units may have independent generators or external power supplies. And when reefer trucks break down, it slows deliveries and causes kinks in the supply chain. At that point, a transport refrigeration technician becomes the hero of the story.
What is a Transport Refrigeration Technician?
As a transport refrigeration technician, you install, maintain, inspect, diagnose, and repair transport refrigeration trucks and units. You’re a critical part of the supply chain machinery because you keep the machinery running. You need technical knowledge of diesel trucks and their refrigeration systems, components, and materials, along with hands-on experience working on various trucks, power generators, industrial machines, and refrigeration units.
Among the responsibilities you might have as a transport refrigeration tech are running diagnostic engine and system tests, welding and brazing, and using specialized equipment to ensure vehicles are in alignment. You also need to understand electrical, HVAC, and refrigeration systems, and the mechanics of diesel engines. You may need to replace broken circuitry, weld together new pipes for refrigeration systems, or refill refrigerants in the vehicle if they get too low.
It takes a variety of technical trade skills to be a successful reefer technician, but the job also requires soft skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and good judgment. You need to be able to think on your feet and find solutions to complex repairs. And you need to make smart decisions and work with safety in mind.
Is There Demand for Transport Refrigeration?
The US refrigerated trucking market is poised for growth through 20292 and with comprehensive training in truck and diesel engine repair, you can find work in this important industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, states like Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, New York and New Jersey are among the states where the most number of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are employed3.
Where Do Reefer Repair Technicians Work?
You could find work with a variety of employers who need skilled workers to service and repair their refrigerated transport vehicles. Most technicians work for truck transportation services, but many also work for the wholesale dealers who manufacture and sell the trucks. Others work for government or retail entities such as grocery chains that need to keep their delivery trucks running smoothly.
How to Start a Career in Transport Refrigeration
To become a transport refrigeration technician, you need a high school diploma and training in diesel and truck service technology with a specialization in refrigeration. A training program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to identify and fix problems with refrigerated transport trucks. The program should be taught by instructors who have worked in the industry and know what it takes to succeed in this occupation. The program will teach you how to use the necessary hand tools to diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical and refrigeration systems. Most of your training should be completed in a shop with industry equipment and real diesel trucks. When you graduate, you’ll earn a certificate. You’ll also be prepared for an apprenticeship or with a local transportation servicer or wholesale dealer.
If you’re ready to train for a career as a transport refrigeration technician, contact 91¶ÌÊÓƵAPP today. We offer a training program in Diesel and Truck Service Technology with Transport Refrigeration that can prepare you for entry-level work in the field. Our instructors are Automotive Service Excellence certified, which means they know how to provide quality vehicle repair services. Click to learn more.
1 Long-Distance Refrigerated Trucking in the US - Employment Statistics 2005–2030, from , last updated May 11, 2024, retrieved on May 14, 2024.
2 US Refrigerated Trucking Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029), sourced from , last updated on May 11, 2024, retrieved on May 14, 2024.
3 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics at , last updated on April 3, 2024, and retrieved on May 14, 2024.