About this topic
Diverse teams are proven to be more effective, producing better financial results and better results in innovation. These results show that having a diverse organisation is a business imperative. While diversity is a vast umbrella, gender diversity is an area with great potential for growth within HVAC&R.
Workplace gender equality is associated with improved national productivity and economic growth; increased organisational performance; enhanced ability of companies to attract talent and retain employees; and enhanced organisational reputation (Workplace Gender Equality Agency, 2016). This can also be considered an industry imperative, as AIRAH represents an industry body that seeks to continue to grow and innovate.
Unfortunately, the gender gap remains wide, and women are still significantly and visibly under-represented in the HVAC&R industry.
The Women of AIRAH STG seeks gender equality and representation in the workplace, with the intent of making the group redundant by achieving critical mass within the HVAC&R industry (30 per cent – Gender Diversity in the Boardroom and Firm Performance: What Exactly Constitutes a “Critical Mass?”, 2012).
The Committee welcomes and encourages all advocates working toward gender equality and representation in the workplace and will engage in any constructive dialogue toward that end.
Diversity champions
AIRAH's diversity champions will work with their Divisions/Committees to:
- Actively encourage of female participation.
- Actively encourage and seek female speakers for their Committee-organised events
- Include events that focus on interpersonal skills (e.g. unconscious bias, negotiation skills, leadership, etc.)
- Promote stories and achievements of female or diversity champion individuals/companies from each Division/Committee.
- Support the WOA committee in organising WOA events prior to major events in their state.
Purpose and aims
This group is the national steering Committee which will develop and drive initiatives to improve the entry and subsequent engagement and retention of women in the HVAC&R industry.
The Committee aims to:
- Increase the number of female members in AIRAH to 30 per cent.
- Increase female participation in the AIRAH Committees to 30 per cent at all levels.
- Promote industry leadership in the following key areas:
- Attracting female graduates and apprentices into HVAC&R.
- Providing networking and support opportunities for women during all stages of their careers.
- Encouraging employers to create a diverse workplace through recruitment, career development, and cultural transformations.
- Assisting women to feel engaged in our industry and part of the HVAC&R community.
- Improving retention of women in the HVAC&R industry.
- Highlighting the female role models within the industry and celebrating their achievements and contributions.
- Communicate the business case for diversity within AIRAH and the wider community.
- Provide guidance to the HVAC&R industry to develop a considered, integrated approach to gender diversity and improving representation.
To formalise and track progress toward these aims, the Committee will establish a rolling list of projects/outcomes to be accomplished for the calendar year. The list will be updated yearly with interim reviews as appropriate.
The Committee aims to deliver the following:
- Building a female community and support network within AIRAH.
- National events at major conventions (ARBS, The Future of HVAC).
- State events, with presentations at forums, seminars, conferences, and other industry events, workshops/networking, etc.
- Development, identification, and celebration of female leaders, role models, and presenters in the HVAC&R space.
- Collaboration with AIRAH Division Committees and other stakeholder groups.
- Articles in Ecolibrium.
- Mentoring and support opportunities.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion within AIRAH's community.
Events
| September 14 |
Women of AIRAH breakfast
Thursday, September 14 • Melbourne, Vic
Save the date and book your seat for a breakfast hosted by the Women of AIRAH! Registrations are now open, and more information will be available soon.
This event takes place on day two of The Future of HVAC 2023.
Register
AIRAH members: $60 / Non-members: $80
Thank you to our sponsors!
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About our event speaker – Lisa Hogben (LinkedIn)
Lisa is an elected Board Director with the National Association of Women in Construction, a Professional Mentor with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), co-founder of anti-racism podcast All Hands on Deck, and founder of the daily construction catharsis Instagram account @Catching_Bees. Lisa’s day job is as a Director at Metro Trains Melbourne.
Lisa is passionate about creating opportunities and breaking down barriers for women and other minorities in the construction industry and beyond.
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| Career Series |
Session 1 – Leading for Success: Overcoming Challenges in a Changing Environment
The WOA STG has initiated a Career Series, featuring professionals discussing the latest issues and trends affecting women in the HVAC&R industry. The first session took place in November 2020, where exceptional leaders shared their stories and practical tips on how they have adapted in a COVID-19 impacted environment.
We invite you to watch the recording of this session, which covered:
- Adaptability, leadership, and keeping in touch with trends.
- Networking, developing a personal brand, and standing out in a virtual environment.
- Communication and staying relevant.
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Resources and links
Related articles:
Committee
To view the members of AIRAH’s Women of AIRAH STG, click here.
Log in to the Committee portal
Get involved
Please click here for more information on AIRAH’s STGs and their work.
To get involved with the Women of AIRAH STG, please email [email protected]
Sponsors
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Vic division |
WA division |
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