Hiring and Sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers (SOC Code 5225)

Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Installers and Repairers, classified under SOC Code 5225, are vital professionals in the field of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). Their key responsibilities include:

• Examining proposed sites: Assessing the location to determine the practicality of installation plans.
• Planning system layout: Designing the arrangement of pipework, ducts, and control panels for optimal efficiency.
• Producing detailed cost estimates: Calculating the expected expenses involved in the installation process.
• Scheduling work: Creating a timeline for the installation tasks to ensure timely completion.
• Installing systems: Carrying out the actual installation of HVAC systems based on the planned layout.
• Inspecting and testing installations: Ensuring that the systems are functioning correctly and meet safety standards.
• Conducting maintenance checks and repairs: Performing regular maintenance and addressing any issues to prolong system life and efficiency.

With the growing demand for energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, the need for skilled air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers continues to rise. This guide will assist HR professionals in navigating the process of hiring and sponsoring these specialists under the UK’s immigration system.

What is SOC Code 3411 for Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers?

SOC Code 5225 refers to air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers who specialize in the installation, maintenance, and repair of climate control systems. Their responsibilities can include:

• Examining the site: Assessing the proposed location to determine the practicality of installation plans.
• Planning system layout: Designing the arrangement of pipework, ducts, and control panels for optimal functionality.
• Producing cost estimates: Generating detailed estimates for the costs associated with the installation work.
• Scheduling work: Creating a comprehensive work schedule to ensure timely installation and repairs.
• Installing systems: Carrying out the installation of air-conditioning and refrigeration systems according to specified plans.
• Inspecting and testing: Conducting thorough inspections and tests to verify that installations are functioning properly.
• Performing maintenance and repairs: Carrying out regular maintenance checks and making necessary repairs to ensure system efficiency and longevity.

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers play an essential role in maintaining comfortable environments in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, contributing to energy efficiency and system reliability.

Eligibility to Hire Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers (SOC Code 3411)

1. Job Requirements

Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers must demonstrate their technical abilities and meet specific qualifications or experience criteria. These may include:

• Site Examination: Ability to examine the proposed site to establish if installation plans are practical.
• System Layout Planning: Skills in planning the layout of the system, including pipework, ducts, and control panels.
• Cost Estimation: Experience in producing detailed estimates of costs for installations.
• Work Scheduling: Competence in planning work schedules and managing installations effectively.
• Inspection and Testing: Proficiency in inspecting and testing installations to ensure functionality and safety.
• Maintenance and Repair: Capability to carry out routine maintenance checks and repairs on installed systems.
• Qualifications: While formal certification may not always be mandatory, relevant vocational training or certifications in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems can be advantageous.

Ensure the job description aligns with SOC Code 5225 and that the candidate’s experience and skills meet the expectations for the role.

1. Salary Thresholds
2. Use the Minimum Salary Calculator to ensure your salary offer meets immigration requirements.

Sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers: A Step-by-Step Guide for HR Professionals

Once you’ve confirmed that the role and candidate meet the eligibility requirements, follow this step-by-step guide to sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers under SOC Code 5225.

Step 1: Obtain a Sponsor Licence

Before hiring non-UK Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers, your company or institution must obtain a sponsor licence. This licence enables you to legally sponsor overseas Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers under the Skilled Worker Visa program.

• Sponsor Licence Application: Submit documentation proving that your business is legitimate and has a genuine vacancy. Visit the sponsor licence application guide for more information. 
• Sponsor Licence Fees: Small businesses typically pay £574, while larger institutions pay £1,579. For more information, visit the sponsor licence fees guide. 
• Processing Time: Applications typically take up to 8 weeks, but using the Sponsor Licence Priority Service can reduce the processing time to 10 working days.

Once your sponsor licence is approved, you will receive a sponsor licence number, which allows you to assign Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS).

Step 2: Assign a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS)

Once you have your sponsor licence, the next step is to assign a CoS to the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers. This document provides key details about the job and the individual being sponsored.

• Defined vs Undefined CoS: Use a Defined CoS for Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers applying from outside the UK, and an Undefined CoS for those already in the UK. Learn more in the Defined & Undefined Certificates of Sponsorship guide. 
• Required Documents: Provide details such as the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers’s portfolio, passport and job offer. Refer to Documents Required for Certificate of Sponsorship for a full list of necessary documents.

Step 3: Apply for the Skilled Worker Visa

Once the CoS is issued, the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers can apply for the Skilled Worker Visa.

• Visa Fees: Fees vary depending on the role and visa length—use the visa fees calculator to estimate the costs. 
• Immigration Skills Charge: Employers are required to pay this charge as part of sponsoring non-UK workers. This is separate from visa fees.

Conducting a Right to Work Check for Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers

Before the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers begins working, you must conduct a right to work check to ensure they are legally allowed to work in the UK.

• Manual Right to Work Check: Verify original documents such as the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers’s passport and visa. 
• Online Right to Work Check: If the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers holds an eVisa, you can use the UK government’s online system to verify their right-to-work status.

For more details on how to perform these checks, see the right to work check guide.

Post-Hiring Responsibilities and Compliance

1. Record-Keeping and Reporting  
2. • Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers’s employment details, salary and contact information. 
   • Reporting Changes: Report any significant changes to the Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers’s role—such as promotions or salary increases—via the Sponsor Management System (SMS).
3. Sponsor Licence Duties and Compliance
4. Failure to comply with your sponsor licence duties can result in penalties or sponsor licence revocation, impacting your ability to sponsor future Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairerss.

How Borderless Can Help with Sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers and repairers

Sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers under SOC Code 5225 can be a complex process, but Borderless can simplify it for you. We offer comprehensive support to help you manage the entire sponsorship process.

End-to-End Sponsorship Support

At Borderless, we assist with:

• Sponsor Licence Application: Guiding you through the application process and ensuring all required documents are submitted correctly. 
• Certificate of Sponsorship Assignment: Streamlining the CoS process to make hiring easier. 
• Compliance Management: Helping you stay compliant with immigration laws to avoid penalties.

If you need assistance with hiring or sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers, get in touch for personalised support.

Conclusion

Hiring and sponsoring Air-conditioning and refrigeration installers  and repairers under SOC Code 5225 can be a rewarding way to enrich the cultural landscape of your organisation. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can successfully navigate the sponsorship process while ensuring compliance with UK immigration laws.

For further guidance, Borderless is ready to assist you with all your sponsorship needs. Contact us for expert advice.