ACR Journal

Coolair supports women in ACR Coolair.indd 1 02/02/2021 11:32 How would you like to see your career developing? I am really enjoying my current role with Catalent and have still got plenty to learn. I would love to broaden my knowledge further affording the opportunity to work on different types of ACR within the industry. Long term, I do not want to be working on the tools forever, and I am hoping to start a Higher National Certificate (HNC) course in buildings services, which will help me expand my role in the future. What is the best piece of advice you were ever given? I think the best piece of advice I have ever been given is that it is better to regret the things you have done, rather than regret the things you were too afraid to try. If you have given something your best shot, you will always learn and improve yourself. I recently competed in the RACHP Worldskills finals, I really had to put these learnings into practice. When I was initially approached by my college lecturer, I was hesitant, as my only exposure to RACHP was on very bespoke equipment and I felt that the skillset would not be easily transferable to what I would be asked to compete on. I am, however, glad that I did push myself to try, as it has been a very positive experience and I would advocate participation to anyone learning at college now, to get involved if they are given the opportunity. What do you see as the challenges facing the industry? Having successfully completed my time at college and becoming quailed, I think I see the biggest challenge facing the industry is firstly, the actual teaching of RACHP. While the lecturers work tirelessly and put in a lot of hours there seems to be a shortage of people with the desire to teach and so recruitment of lecturers and attracting people to careers in the ACR industry must be a priority. As mentioned, there is a lack of people enrolling to learn. For example, I was not made aware of refrigeration as a career at school. No one really grows up saying they want to be a refrigeration engineer! Most of our class members were there purely because a parent or relative was in the industry and they were following in their footsteps. Others, including myself, seemed to find it by complete chance. It would be good to raise awareness among the young and inspire a new generation at a time where engineering careers may not immediately appear appealing. What would you say to other women who are considering coming into the ACR industry? I would say embrace it and get involved, as I have found the industry to be very welcoming and inclusive. There is always somebody willing to share their knowledge and help you out and that is reassuring. Although it may sound like a cliché, the industry is like a big extended family, where peoples’ paths cross and everyone gets to know everyone else. Is there a little-known fact about yourself that would surprise other people (secret skill, unusual hobby etc)? I do not think I have any particularly unusual hobbies, but I do enjoy trying different things. I love weight training at the gym and getting out on my bicycle in the summer months, I play guitar, rock climb and I love cars. Pretty much anything that is ‘hands on’. But between working full time, having two children, and trying to renovate my house, my hobbies tend to take a back seat! CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai CMYK / .ai acrjournal.uk 35 SPONSORED BY COOLAIR