Women in HVAC: Sophisticated and Specialized

The glass ceiling for women in the workforce has always been a complex problem with multiple different facets. There isn’t a single pain point for women – there’s many. From uncompetitive wages, limited growth opportunities, and false perceptions of gender roles for certain jobs. It’s never been a better time for women to claim their place in the workforce and create a lasting impact on previously male dominated industries. Even though women are becoming more and more represented, the service industry is still lacking their presence. The service industry, and more specifically our beloved HVAC industry, has the least amount of gender diversity. As of 2017, women make up only one percent of HVAC workers.

At Charlie’s Tropic we’re committed to helping every employee reach his or her full potential, as well as fully encouraging the employment and advancement of women in the HVAC industry.

Why we Need Women in the Service Industry

At Charlie’s Tropic, we see the great impacts that women have on the service industry every day. It’s important to us that we give women the opportunities to shine and help adjust the current demographics in the HVAC community. We have made it a point to employ female service technicians. We also strongly believe that having women in management is a real benefit to any company. Amy, our general manager, plays an important role in our day-to-day operations. She has also become a Class A certified contractor, which is a great accomplishment for anyone in the service industry.

Often, women in the workplace can offer different perspectives and solutions to problems than their male counterparts. Others in the service industry must be receptive to women joining their team and stop thinking of this field as a male only club. Charlie’s Tropic hopes to be a driving force in changing this mentality and we believe that all people can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Encouraging People to Join

One of the biggest issues facing the service industry is a lack of skilled workers entering the workforce combined with master craftsmen reaching retirement age. Encouraging men, let alone women, to join the industry is not always easy and teaching them the skills they need once they join can be just as difficult. It’s getting harder to find youth that are interested in this industry, leaving a problem for companies that need to replace retiring workers. Because of this it’s important that we welcome new candidates into the HVAC industry and provide them the skills and training they need to succeed.

One way this issue is being combated is through the industry related trade organizations. Examples of some HVAC trade organizations and associations working to better the industry and offer a voice for workers are: AHRI, ACCA, AMCA, and Women in HVACR. They give members a place to network and voice any comments or concerns regarding the industry. Some organizations also provide additional educational opportunities to further advance workers in their HVAC careers. At Charlie’s Tropic we’ve made the choice to partner with NEFBA to offer an apprenticeship program that covers 100 percent of tuition as well as offers continued education courses. We’ve also partner with local non-profits working to improve the industry such as NFACCA, where Amy serves as the current vice president, and Explore the Trades.

We applaud any company or organization who, like us, works to help women succeed in the HVAC industry. Women bring an entirely new set of skills to previously male dominated industry. At Charlie’s Tropic we feel that we should be encouraging our workers to succeed regardless of their gender. We feel that things like pay, benefits, and advancement opportunities should not vary based on gender.

Our goal is to continue to encourage women who are interested in joining the HVAC community.  We’re committed to progressing this movement and help transitioning the service industry into a space that’s diverse and inclusive of all.