My name is Hazel Kanhai. I grew up hearing
how important it was to ‘learn a trade’ because of the job security, stability
and enrichment it provided. After completing my secondary school education, I
applied to do a Refrigeration and Air conditioning program at the John S
Donaldson Technical Training Institute. I had no previous practical skills, but
my mathematics, science and drawing skills provided the fundamental knowledge I
needed.
The Refrigeration and Air conditioning
field is a predominantly male environment. I was the only female in my class. I
was the only female graduating from the National Training Agency Apprenticeship
programme at that time, and I was the only female in my Technical Teacher
Training Internship. I can still remember the questioning looks that I would
get, whenever I showed up to work on a system. However, the landscape of this
picture is gradually changing. The year 2005 was the first time I was joined by
another woman in training, Ms. Margaret Belfon.
I started working in the
field at the Caribbean Marine Technical Services, and then at Climate Control
Limited as a service repair technician, where I was the only female in both
workshops. My qualifications and experience now afforded me the opportunity to
serve as a Technical Vocational Instructor, both at St. Anthony’s College (an
all-boys school) and then at The MIC Institute of Technology spanning a period
of thirty years. During this period, I became a member of the Refrigeration
Service Engineers Society (RSES) and was also certified in the Carrier General
Training AC 1 & 2 (GTAC). I was also trained and certified in the Safe Handling
of Ozone Depleting Substances with Air Conditioning Refrigeration Industry
Association (ARIA).
Today, after so many years
in this field, I am still very passionate and excited about the current and new
trends continuing to impact this industry. My advice to women who want to enter
this field would be to first of all, respect yourselves, keep on learning and
challenging yourselves.