Welcome to The NewsletHER!  Our quarterly newsletter to our membership where we'll bring you all the latest Women in HVACR Canada news, highlight our sponsors and community partners, and introduce you to some amazing women making a difference in this great industry.

Our Membership Drive is Underway!

Access our membership form on our website and in a couple of quick steps you’ll be joining one of the fastest growing associations!  We can’t wait to meet you. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up with our ongoing “Women in HVACR Canada” features.  It’s always great to hear about how someone came into this industry and what they love about their roles.  Know a woman who should be featured?  Send us an email and we’ll connect.  Remember, you don’t necessarily have to be on the tools to be featured, there are lots of great jobs in this industry and they’re all important!

FYI We've just launched a new members only Facebook Group! 

It's a safe space where members can network, share exciting news, post jobs in our organizations and support each other.

Our very first virtual membership meeting took place June 22nd and it was a huge success!  We welcomed lots of new faces, played some ice-breaker games, networked and gave away a free 2022 membership! Our winner was Sue McFarlane from Independant Supply Company, who then graciously donated it to a graduating technician!  Talk about paying it forward.  That’s exactly the spirit behind this organization!!

Become an Ambassador

Does anyone follow our very own @HVACJess on Instagram?  Not only is she our President, she is an absolute spark-plug and woman evolving in her second career as an HVACR technician!  Jessica regularly participates in events as a guest speaker for other non-profit associations that highlight HVACR as a great second career opportunity. 

We need more dynamic women to help spread the word!  We hope to have career ambassadors from Women in HVACR Canada speak at high schools, colleges, employment resource centres, trade shows and second career associations when we can get back for in-person events.  In the meantime, we are still actively participating in on-line events across Canada!

Our Featured Tradie: Amanda Borba

“My name is Amanda Borba, I’m 30 years old, from Toronto, Canada and have been in the trades for 12 years. I went through OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) for plumbing.  The first company I worked for did hydronic heating so I did a lot of steam fitting, boiler and gas work.

I got my gas licenses in night school while I worked during the day. I did a lot of boiler replacements, repairs, maintenance, pump rebuilding and replacement, garage exhaust fan and roof top exhaust fan repairs and maintenance.

I then worked at a company that I did a lot of in-unit repairs to steam and radiant heating systems, as well as maintenance & repairs for pumps and boilers.

Now I do residential heating and cooling maintenance, repairs and install in high-end old Toronto homes. Furnaces, boilers, ACs, ductless, and BBQ lines.

In only 12 years, going from commercial buildings, government housing, to residential high-end homes, I’ve had great exposure to different types of HVACR.  I am always learning and adapting.

It’s incredibly rewarding to restore heat or hot water to an entire building of residents. It’s even more of a confidence boost when you’re heading back to your truck and the residents thank you and commend you for being a female in the trade.

In all honestly, I am always so proud of anyone in the trade, male or female, because it definitely takes a different kind of person to do this job. You have to be mentally ready to receive a lot of unwanted opinions, you have to be strong in every sense, and you have to have the drive.

As a female, I’ve had people try to discourage me, say I’m too small or don’t look strong enough.  By the time I’m done the job, they want to know if I have a business card!  Every day and every job, you have to prove yourself.  I know I have the skill set to complete my job regardless of my gender.”  Follow me on Instagram @BadLuckBorba

We're excited to announce our new relationship with the HRAI!

In August , a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between

Women in HVACR Canada and HRAI

We're excited to work together on initiatives promoting the advancement and inclusion of Women in the HVACR Industry. Our members will lend a voice on joint committees, participate in events, and have access to discounted training offered through the HRAI.  To stay current with news in the HVACR industry we encourage our members to sign up for the HRAI newsletter and follow their social channels!

www.hrai.ca

www.facebook.com/HRAI.ca

www.linkedin.com/company/295937

twitter.com/HRAI_Canada

And lastly, where would we be without our Founding Sponsors?

Sponsorship is what makes the dream and vision a reality.  We can't say enough about our 3 Founding Sponsors who provided their generous support right out of the gates:

Thank you to our FOUNDING DIAMOND SPONSOR - Vista Services

Founded in 2002 and based in Ottawa, Vista Services is a trusted and reliable source of home improvement financing to homeowners, and an invaluable business partner to a large network of HVACR contractors. At its core, Vista is a strong supporter of local business that firmly believes that homeowners and businesses are better served by local, independent contractors that know their customers and are part of the community they operate in.

As such, Vista provides rental and finance programs for local HVAC/R contractors so they have the tools to compete with large energy services corporations.

Local Service is Better Service!

To quote Glen Leis, Senior VP of Business Development and Marketing: "Inclusion and diversity is important in and of itself, but in this case, it is also critical in ensuring that there are enough qualified people to deal with the heating and cooling needs of Canadian Businesses and Homeowners in the coming years.  The HVACR industry in Canada needs more women in technical, management, and ownership roles.  Let's work together to see that it happens.  Vista is all-in for this cause and we encourage our industry partners and competitors to join us in this important effort."

Thank you to our FOUNDING SILVER SPONSOR - Viessmann Canada

With a complete line of high-efficiency oil and gas-fired boilers, solar thermal systems, advanced biomass heating and control technology, Viessmann offers an innovative heating solution to meet the requirements of any application.

Viessmann is a proud supporter of women in the HVAC industry and encourages inclusion and diversity at all levels of the organization.  Viessmann believes by empowering women to find workplace success in our industry and investing in them will ensure their career growth, which is essential to creating long-term employees.

Thank you to our FOUNDING SILVER SPONSOR - TRI-AIR Systems

TRI-AIR Systems is a family owned and operated HVACR company with over 40 years in the industry. They specialize in the commercial, industrial, institutional and condominium markets providing proactive maintenance and service to a variety of manufacturers HVACR equipment.  TRI-AIR Systems proudly supports women in all roles related to the HVACR industry Diversity and inclusion throughout our company is extremely important to our success in maintaining a strong work environment.

There is a high demand for technicians in our industry and a shortage of qualified people to fill these positions. Working in the HVACR industry is very rewarding with excellent wages and the opportunity to work in a wide range of environments and places.

We encourage women to consider a career in this trade.

Shout out to our amazing community and educational partners!  All of these organizations and Colleges do great work promoting Women in Skilled Trades!

Post Secondary Fair - Oct 20th Women in HVACR Canada will be sharing a booth with HRAI and ORAC at Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School in Brampton.  Our goal is to promote our great industry to high school kids exploring their next steps. Reach out if you'd like to participate!