Events and Exhibitions
“ Building your network is something that I also recommend . You have to get out there and participate in the industry , talk to outside contacts , talk to people in other departments – get to know what they do , let them understand what you do . This is how you start building your network and this is useful because you get help from people in terms of your career , and also when you need something whether its advice , help or an introduction . Your network can include your friends and family too that will be there to support you and offer their views .
“ Finally , I would add that ‘ being present ’ is as important as anything else . One of the things that you will find at every company are the people who , day after day , just come to work and go home – that is all they do – sit at their desks and not participate . You have to put yourself out there . Yes , you have to do your work , but take it further – communicate with everybody , understand what ' s happening in the business – you are only going to gain knowledge if you are getting involved . Also , do research on the internet , find out what ' s happening in your industry . This will help you understand a whole lot more .”
Prelicia Rampal , MC and services division at GEA Africa .
Mala Nair , service director at GEA Africa .
ISOLDE DOBELIN HIGHLIGHTS EQUALITY Isolde Dobelin , owner of OTTC Skills City Africa , presented her experience to the attendees , going back to her years and origins in Germany , where after the world wars , Germany declared women equal to men . This decision and subsequent support changed the dynamics for women and their participation in all sectors .
OTTC Skills City Africa to-date has seen over 11 000 graduates since its inception in 1992 . Their curriculum follows German standards to ensure unquestionable quality for students starting their careers . Dobelin has always been particularly supportive of women in the HVACR industry , and in fact graduated the very first female ammonia technician in South Africa through OTTC .
She said , as a woman , there are so many possibilities in HVACR solutions . If you stop and think about where cooling and refrigeration is used already , it touches many areas of our daily lives and for technicians that means a lot of opportunities . “ When a student starts their training at OTTC , we always insist that they begin with the basics of tools and simple things like cutting and filing . These are the fundamentals of any artisan . Health and safety compliance is also always top of the list as technicians work with refrigerants and pressure vessels , which can be dangerous when you are not trained properly .”
Dobelin further spoke to the attendees about the various training provided by OTTC and their methodology of balanced
Isolde Dobelin , owner of OTTC Skills City Africa .
Carol Paulsen , senior sales executive at Envirochem .
theoretical and practical exposure and promoting information and knowledge exchange , which is very important especially in the learning process to produce successful results for students . Dobelin also recalled the philosophy of her late husband , who always treated her as an equal , and never promoted taking shortcuts . This is something that she has used in her own life and which is important when mentoring others . Further sharing of her life path revealed her extensive experience in many aspects of business , and further hands-on experience in a wide range of elements of HVACR , to the great interest of the attendees .
Dobelin further walked attendees through the use of natural refrigerants ( ammonia and CO₂ ), which she believes will gain a lot of the market in future and also that she has assisted over 400 Ammonia graduates through the college who have received
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I July 2021 11