HVAC (Refrigeration/ Air Conditioning Mechanic)
Nancy remembers the amount of time she used to spend standing in her closet considering what to wear to her office job. When she arrived at work she would take her place in the cubicle and begin the long countdown down to 5 o'clock, not even knowing until she stood up whether or not it was sunny outside.
Those days are over. Since beginning work in HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) life certainly has changed. Now, getting dressed for work means selecting T-shirt, ball cap and overalls rather than suits, and her view extends for miles (if she's working on the rooftop) rather than a few inches to the cubicle walls. Best of all, though, is that each day begins with an eagerness she didn't feel in her previous jobs. Although there is still a certain amount of routine in her work, she knows that no matter what tasks she's performing - removing wasp nests or feathers from rooftop air conditioning units or changing capacitors or threading pipe - she's helping people in tangible ways and doing something people really appreciate.
Nancy wasn't always so positive about her work. Before discovering HVAC, she had worked in a retail establishment and then as an Order Entry Clerk. She was tired of dealing with rude customers and the monotony of office work. When an on-site encounter resulted in her taking stress leave, Nancy was at a crossroads. Although she wasn't about to let the event leave her defeated, she wasn't sure what to do next. She wanted a job she could love, but as a single mother, she knew she needed to make a solid income quickly. Vocational Pathways, a Canadian organization offering a full range of services and programs designed to assist unemployed individuals in identifying, competing for, and securing gainful employment, came through and helped Nancy turn a difficult situation into a new direction.
Through Vocational Pathways, Nancy was able to attend a two-week Career Exploration / Employment Preparation Program (CEEP), funded by the Durham Region Human Resources Centre (HRC), that gave her insight into a new direction for her life. As part of CEEP, Nancy had the opportunity to receive personality testing and to her surprise, the results indicated she was best suited for a non-traditional women's career. It was just the information she needed and after some investigation, she discovered the field of HVAC Mechanics.
Not one to jump in blindly, Nancy made some phone calls and convinced an HVAC Mechanic to let her job shadow him. After just two days, and with no prior experience, she was offered a full-time job removing chimney liners, carrying pipe threaders and threading 1" pipe. It was the beginning of a new career and she's never looked back since.
With the conviction that HVAC was the right direction for her, in 2004 Nancy decided, at age 36, to go back to school to become an HVAC Mechanic, herself. Sept. 2005 begins her second year of school and, having already earned her Gas fitter 3 and Oil Burner Tech 3 certifications, there is no stopping her now.
Says Nancy about her experiences so far, "I knew HVAC wasn't going to be easy but it actually was easier than I thought." Maybe that's because of her life experience. Maybe it's because she's so well suited to the physical work, hands-on work. Maybe it's because of her maturity in being able to handle working in a male-dominated field. Whatever the reasons, it's been a challenging and rewarding journey so far.
Her advice to women considering an occupation in the trades? "The environment won't change for you. Remember you're a woman in a male-dominated world. Work hard and you will earn people's respect." She also stresses the importance of having a strong support system. "Whether it's friends, brothers, sisters, spouse, boyfriend or parents - surround yourself with people who believe in you and let them encourage you from time to time. You'll need it."
Has she chosen the right direction? Her own words say it best, "At the end of the day I can say 'I did that' and I get a real sense of accomplishment from that. I only wish I had known this work was an option for me years ago."
