It’s no secret that the plumbing/HVAC industry is a man’s world, much like the legal, medical, and IT fields are as well. That was the case for Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling – until last year!
We’re proud to announce our first female apprentice with the company, Pam Giron. Not only is she in our Apprenticeship Program, but she’s also been a team member since June 2016.
She originally started in the call center with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling, first as a customer service representative, then quickly becoming a dispatcher and then the call center manager – all within her first year! She worked as our call center manager for over two years before she made a shocking career move and decided to go into the field as a technician.
First Came Several Positive Changes
This meant a series of changes for her. First, she was moving into a new department and would no longer be a member of management. Next would be a pay cut into her new role as an apprentice. Then, her schedule changed as she came in earlier two days out of the week to attend classes for the Apprenticeship Program with her male team members.
The change has been a positive one for the single mom of a teenager who’s currently driving. She’s never been afraid to get dirty, and she’s able to work with her hands in the trenches with the guys.
Women across the country are making these kinds of life-altering changes every day. They’re leaving desk jobs and going out into the field to make a living. More women realize the perks and growth opportunities of going into plumbing and/or HVAC, seeing that both areas are ones that are in need and that they can make a decent living. In fact, the average salary for a plumber in the United States in 2019 was around $56,486. Not too shabby!
According to servicetitan.com, it’s predicted that there will be a 75% retirement rate among tradespeople in the next 10 years. This translates to an even greater need for tradespeople, which also translates to job security.
Are There Any Struggles For Women When Entering The Field?
Are there struggles for women entering the field? Absolutely. Again, this is a male-dominated world, and women are still seen by many as frail and that they can’t keep up or perform the work necessary. So, it can be harder for them to break into the world of plumbing or HVAC because of this stereotype.
What can help women when they’re beginning a career in plumbing or HVAC? Just like anyone else, education and training are helpful. While it’s not necessary to go to school for the trade, it can be helpful to have the education in your back pocket when you walk into a plumbing/HVAC company to apply for a job.
Also, it’s helpful to train as an apprentice under the watchful eye of a seasoned technician. This will help the person get the hands-on training, and they can learn while in the field. The senior technician can look over the apprentice’s shoulder and explain to them why they’re doing what they’re doing and the right and wrong way to perform a task.
Scholarships And Grants Are Always There For Financial Assistance
If money for a trades school is an issue, there’s always the possibility of scholarships and grants for financial assistance. There’s even assistance offered to women! It’s definitely worth looking into.
Now, if we’re going to toot our own horn, we’re proud to mention (again) that our Apprenticeship Program can help any man or woman get the education and hands-on experience towards their career. It’s a four-year program, and in the end, you’ll be able to get your Journeyman’s license.
We’re Ecstatic About Our Very First Woman Apprentice!
The team with Albuquerque Plumbing Heating & Cooling is beaming with pride over our first woman apprentice. We know she won’t be our last. We encourage everyone and anyone to come into our office and put in an application to come on board with our amazing company. That’s what family does. That’s what our family does – they encourage each other.