Women in HVACR
promote innovations , have workshops , provide mentorships , improve business skills , and ultimately create a platform for true entreprenership , which is much needed in our country .
Honestly speaking the work I do in my field is challenging , it requires patience and you need to be physically and mentally prepared to handle your work each day – and unfortunately , ladies , you cannot wear your nails to work . But not all elements of being involved in the HVACR sector is that much physical ‘ hard work ’ – you don ’ t have to do the ‘ heavy lifting ’. Workplaces have evolved to the point where even male employees have the tools and facilities to make the work easier and more efficient .
The fact that you work with your hands on a practical level and with a variety of tasks – rather than being confined to an office with loads of paperwork all of the time – offers fulfilment in itself , and re-building a compressor or engine is not physically hard work at all . The same is true for certain servicing acpects like changing belts , or oils .
Sure , when I started in this field as a new student I didn ’ t know anything about a spanner , a side-cutter or electric components , but because I wanted to know and learn , I put in the effort . For most people , doing something new is a scary process – now imagine how much more scary it is when you have zero support !
This is all part of my own journey , I am the one who is willing to put all of my efforts into making something work and tick off all of my goals ( which I keep in my journal I started when I changed careers ), I have always dreamt of the day that I am ready to move one step on .
Today I am proud that I have almost completed all of my training modules and made a lot of progress along the way and I want to share with other women in the sector that if you have a dream or a goal , to push through and find a way to make things happen . With the support of an organisation this will also get easier .
HVACR is an extremely interesting field and in my opinion it ’ s all about where you want to see yourself in 5 or 10 years ’ time . As individuals we need to think beyond – bigger than where you are at the moment . When you have a dream you have to go for it , so I am taking the next step in my journey – you should too .
Watch this space ladies !
Samkelwa Xaba is a qualified bio-technologist and is currently completing her apprenticeship with GEA Africa Thermo King . RACA
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RACA Journal I November 2020 www . hvacronline . co . za