Women in the professional field of HVAC/R
Graduate Article - Updated 6/26/09 - Since we had a lot of great comments on this post, I thought everyone would like to see an article from a couple of years ago.
We get questions about this often enough that we thought we would post something about it:
Most people tend to envision HVAC/R as a “man’s career,” one that deals with intensive installs, compressor change-outs, and many other strength-oriented tasks. This is a common misconception; while sometimes heavy lifting is necessary, these cases are not as frequent as people think. Even when there is more labor intensive work, certain adjustments can be made to help accomplish the job. Much of the HVAC/R work revolves around electrical and mechanical troubleshooting. The main requirements needed to work in this industry are the enjoyment of working with your hands, solving problems, fix things, and being able to deal with the often harsh weather that comes with the trade (heat in Phoenix, cold in Chicago).
One of the reasons HVAC/R is such an exciting career – and why it is appealing to both men and women - is the fact that they can adapt their training to so many different industry areas. The primary focus of RSI’s curriculum is electrical circuitry and temperature/humidity control, which makes students’ education readily transferable to many areas of the industry. It also allows technicians to work interesting jobs without demanding they be capable of intense physical labor. An entry level HVAC/R technician is prepared to work with climate control equipment (air conditioning, heating, ventilation, humidifying, de-humidifying, etc.), refrigeration equipment, large commercial equipment, and more. Wherever there is climate control or refrigeration equipment (which is almost everywhere) technicians are needed to maintain and service it.
In fact, when it comes to hiring, some employers are very interested in hiring females because they are often already sensitive to the customer’s needs without extra training. Technicians can run away business if they make a habit of treading through a client’s house with tar on their feet from the roof they just got off, ruining the customer’s carpet. Employers need technicians that tend to be more mindful, and will even remove their dirty shoes before entering a house if the customer requests it. What is the big deal? It means that the client will make sure that they ask for the same technician next time, and as long as they’re working at the same company, there will be repeat business. Like men, women who are mechanically inclined should research a career in HVAC/R. The potential for a great career in this industry is there for anyone that wants it.
Thanks for the information. Are there any training programs in Arkansas?
I work in the field as a woman and love my job. There are not alot of women who do what I do. I find it still shocking when people still say to me “but your a woman”
So ladies get your hands dirty it’s really fun!
When I attended RSI back in 1978 there were two female students in our class, I know one of them was working for a supply house and wanted to learn more about the trade. I do not know whatever happend to them after completion since I moved back to Michigan. Since then I have only met one female tech during the years. I would like to see more woman in the HVAC/R field. I think it would breath some new life into the trade and make it more recognizable.
For the most part, i’m looking into having a career in IT, I want to finish my journeymans license in the electrical field in order to be prepared for the RSI ed and i like the idea that women are capabale in work that field, props to all those dedicated women!!!
In an answer to a post from yesterday, there is only one RSI in Phoenix Arizona. We do have many that come from out of state each year to attend classes.
Admin notes that so far this is one of the most commented topics. We have had many women come and take our courses over the years and go on to become quite successful. There are a lot of great stories out there. I have attached one to this blog just this morning. Thank you for the great posts!
I attended R.S.I. back in 1977, graduating in April of 1978. I had a job as a journeyman HVAC&R technician with a major employer before I graduated, and have been employed as such ever since. (R.S.I. placed me in that first job, incidentally.)
HVAC can be a good field for women if you go into it with your eyes wide open and know your physical limitations. There are many different types of job opportunities available for anyone with the right training and attitude, male or female.
I have been working in a great HVAC shop for a municipality now for nineteen years, having spent my first eleven years working for contractors and a hospital as an HVAC&R journeyman. I was even quoted in an HVAC article in the Wall Street Journal a few years ago.
I don’t like hearing “physical limitations” as I have frequently done things alone that would take two men to do. Work smart not hard. Besides the physical work is the easy part. Remember ladies, you can grow muscles.
I am a female HVAC/R technician here in the Philippines. Thank you so much for this post. There are only few females in this field and sometimes in a training school there are only one in 20-30 in a class. I was surprised when I took the national assessment here for national certification in TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) and the assessor in HVAC/R suprised and told me that Im a first female who take that assessment. I work in our own service center for many years and my major role there was Im an estimator, troubleshooter and communicator to customers. But then I still enjoy to fix the unit. Recently, I passed the national assessment for trainer and assessor in this field and I enjoyed to share my knowledge to others who wants to pursue this career.