Showcasing our Female Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (RAC) Trainer- Ms. Hazel Kanhai

 

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.