Patrice Hernandez masters skills in male-dominated air-conditioning industry

Patrice Hernandez has no female role models to look up to in the air-conditioning industry.

But, this has not stopped the 26-year-old from blazing her own trail and challenging what she says is the stereotype that the career path she chose is reserved for men.

Hernandez, who was the sole female trainee participating in the National Energy Skills Center’s (NESC) air conditioning and refrigeration installation and maintenance programme in Mayaro, toppled 15 other students to earn her place as the class valedictorian at the programme’s graduation ceremony on March 4.

“I was proud about my accomplishment as a woman. I want to empower other women and help motivate them to see that this is not only a male industry and females can get involved in it too.”

“It doesn't have any boundaries or limitations to the extent that women could reach. Anywhere men could reach, we could do it better.”

Hernandez said women should not hesitate to join the industry for fear of being victimised. Fear, she said, “is only a mindset.”

“We hold back ourselves because we think that we are not strong enough or we are not mentally prepared enough to join this sector or we might be victimised.”

“Among the males, I was on the same level and probably better than some of them because I was able to stand my ground. We helped motivate each other. They did not treat me any differently.”

Hernandez said the programme, which commenced in 2019, was supposed to last six months but was disrupted due to the covid19 pandemic. However, she said the disruption did not deter her from her goal to complete the programme and become an entrepreneur.

In addition to air conditioning and refrigeration installation and maintenance, the students were taught entrepreneurial skills. With her new skillset, Hernandez was able to start her business.

“From ever since I wanted to open my own business...but I had a fear of opening my own business.”

This, Hernandez said, was due to failed business ventures in the past — which included an online clothing store and hydroponics business — since she didn’t have the entrepreneurial acumen she now has.

“I didn’t have the entrepreneurship background to have that solid foundation. When I started the entrepreneur course I actually gained the knowledge.”

This isn’t Hernandez’s first time being the lone female student in an NESC course that is primarily male-dominated. In 2017, she did a course in building and construction where she also excelled.

With all the skills she gained through NESC programmes, Hernandez said she recently successfully renovated a beach house in Mayaro.

“With the knowledge I gained from that course, I was able to put up all my air conditions myself and serviced all the air conditions and it helped me to manage the business with a more stable head than the business that I ventured on previously.”

Hernandez credits her mother for instilling the “entrepreneurial spirit” in her.

“My mom really motivated me to become the person who I am today. She grew me up without a father. My father died at the age of three. She was an entrepreneur herself — having a small business and minding two young children by herself.

“She pushed me to do all these courses to be better.”

NESC’s positive impact on Mayaro

Hernandez, who is a proud “Mayaro native”, said the NESC is positively impacting her community.

“NESC is having a very positive impact. It keeps young people like myself from doing the wrong stuff. It helps us to channel our energy into something more positive and we can actually make money from it and have fun doing it.”

Hernandez said she attained a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of the West Indies (UWI), but was unable to get a job.

“I went UWI and I did not get any jobs with the course I did. I went to NESC and asked about their programmes and that’s how I ended up doing these programmes and actually getting a work in the oil industry sector on this side...at Galeota Point.”

NESC has been operating in Mayaro since 2007, offering programmes in air conditioning and refrigeration, shielded metal arc welding, electrical installation and information and communication technology. For over ten years, the centre has partnered with Perenco TT Limited to sponsor programmes to facilitate low income students living in fenceline communities.

Lisa Joseph, dean at the NESC’s School of Continuing Education said Mayaro residents are always open to accessing programmes.

In a few weeks, the centre will be launching an entrepreneurship hub as part of their student services. Through this initiative, students would be provided with guidance and resources for starting up their businesses.

More women in traditionally male-dominated industries

Joseph said she was happy to see more women get involved in the air conditioning industry and felt especially proud of Hernandez’s accomplishment.

“It’s not common to see a woman showing up at your home to repair your A/C unit or your refrigerator.

“However, over the past few years, we have seen women showing interest in these traditionally male-dominated fields and excelling…not just in A/C repair but also in drilling, welding and other trades that have been male-dominated for decades.”

She said there was a need for women and men to celebrate women’s accomplishments and leadership in service.

“It’s wonderful to see more women participating and excelling in traditionally male-dominated courses at the NESC. If we continue to build our women, our companies and country will be stronger, safer and more prosperous.”

In the future, Hernandez said she hopes to embark on more business ventures and expand her business to offer a diverse range of air-conditioning services.

“I want to open my own A/C company where I install the air conditions and sell the air conditions, but one step at a time.”

“This is just one of the start.”