Study reveals challenges for women in RACHP
FRANCE: Role models are seen as key to attracting the next generation of women refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump engineers.
The results of a new worldwide study suggests that there is clear scope to increase the visibility of women working in the sector by promoting role models and mentorship programmes. An increased awareness of women in RACHP is also seen as a way to help break stereotypes and prejudice against women and empower them to pursue a career in this sector.
The report by the International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and UNEP OzonAction in cooperation with a number of international groups and associations was undertaken to better understand the background, motivation, challenges, and opportunities faced by women working in the RACHP sector.
A total of 810 women from all continents responded to the survey. Half had a postgraduate degree which may account for the fact that only 8% work in RACHP applications servicing. Half of the respondents worked either in design and/or R&D (22%), in sales/marketing (15%), or held academic and teaching roles (13%).
While the retention rate of women working in the sector was good, only one in five women had been promoted twice in the last ten years while 24% had never been promoted, suggesting limited career progression opportunities. Also, 55.4% of women felt they were fairly paid in relation to their job and only 10% felt highly underpaid compared to their male colleagues in similar positions.
The report identifies five major challenges in their working life: difficulties in maintaining a healthy work/life balance, lack of career advancement opportunities, stereotypes or prejudice about women from clients or customers, no other female colleagues in their organisation and limited training opportunities to further develop their skills.
The full report can be read and downloaded here.
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