Personality Profile Sponsored by :
GRABBING OPPORTUNITIES WITH BOTH HANDS
This has been the strategy to date for ACRA ’ s first female air conditioning and refrigeration training facilitator , Karabo Mazibuko .
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s a highly goal orientated individual , Mazibuko has had her fair share of moving around - being drawn to various opportunities she wanted to pursue . Her view here being that nothing comes easy and so making the best of each open door , one needs to always take on the challenge and give the best of your abilities .
Having had exposure through her studies to many business-type elements , it was really the hands-on aspects that she was excited by and noted that the thought of being stuck doing paperwork all day was not a good fit for her , while being handy is fulfilling and the reason she decided to engage the trades .
Gaining a qualification in the electrical space first , her entrance to the HVACR world came about through a TVET programme aimed at qualifying candidates to be skilled in air conditioning and refrigeration , and safe handling of refrigerants , which was sponsored by the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority ( HWSETA ).
“ That opportunity afforded the view of a huge gap in this market . Although I was very sceptical before I took the step into the HVACR world , I quickly realised how broad the refrigeration industry actually is and the possibilities it holds - from small scale aircon maintenance to entire plant management , and training of course . I knew then that this would definitely be a good industry to be a part of . No matter what challenges you may face with something new like this , I always believe that when you have the right attitude , everything else just falls into place ”, Mazibuko says .
By completion of the HVACR programme with the HWSETA , Mazibuko got involved as a moderator at a local TVET college . On seeing her potential and confidence ( not to mention her solid sales pitch as an employment candidate ), it was an easy decision to onboard her into the ranks as a junior facilitator at the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Academy ( ACRA ) in Johannesburg . Mazibuko is a solid backer of education – particularly in the trades and has the opinion that training is important because education helps people to grow but also lets them realise the impact specifically
© RACA Journal | Benjamin Brits working in the HVACR sectors has - not only from a service point of view , but also in terms of the environment , global warming , and ozone depletion that have a direct link to future generations . Safety is also a high priority in her world where training is necessary for artisans on how to work and operate to ensure a safe workplace for themselves and others . Mazibuko further notes that training provides upskilling , but on the converse the interaction with people who are out in the field gives facilitators different viewpoints too to keep on learning every day .
As a historically male-dominated industry , Mazibuko is further very optimistic of her representation as a woman and facilitator to learners . “ Women ( generally ) are known to be far more patient in an educational environment and that means the learner gets a more thorough understanding of the subject matter and even if you have to explain a concept over and over , it ’ s not a big deal . Secondly , holding a position such as this is likely to attract more ladies to the sector to better balance the proportions , and to top that , women can see first-hand that this sector can be a place where they can be successful too – so a change from the assumption of only having the option to become someone who wears dirty overalls every day !”.
Considering why she would promote women joining the industry , Mazibuko highlighted that the entire sector is extremely interesting and holds many challenges so if anyone , in fact , enjoys problem solving , this is definitely the place to look as you get to troubleshoot methods and ideas in mechanical , heating and cooling , or electrical aspects .
“ Regardless of circumstances or gender , even acknowledging what people may have dealt with as historical norms – such as that women were typically ‘ domestic beings ’, people need to know that no matter what you put your mind to , you can achieve it ! Everyone has the opportunity to expand themselves and therefore their potential … all you need to do is change the way you think and the effort you put in ”, Mazibuko concludes . RACA
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