“I was recently divorced with two really small children and I didn’t want to become a waitress.”
Those are the words of Rachel Hilling, who decided to pursue the trades despite the many obstacles and challenges it presented at the time. Her story is one of overcoming adversity – one of skill, tenacity and innovation.
Caretaking for two children and toiling away with various daily demands presented its own unique challenges. Rachel Hilling was still determined to make something of her professional career and became laser-focused on the trades.
Before entering the HVAC industry, Rachel Hilling knew she needed a career that would support her family.
“My parents had a neighbor named Rich,” says Hilling, recalling her introduction to the heating and cooling industry. “Rich owned a heating and cooling company, and he was an electrician, plumber and gas fitter.”
Rachel Hilling remembers fondly when her father suggested she meet Rich and ask him which trades might be suitable for a woman.
“I should have been an electrician,” says Hilling, making light of her choice to pursue a career in HVAC. “It’s a much cleaner job.”
“Rich at the time, however, needed an HVAC installer.” Hilling was not afraid to get her hands dirty and since there was demand for an HVAC installer at the time, she decided to learn the trade.
Not one to back down from a challenge, Hilling is now a certified HVAC technician with various other technical certifications under her belt. She has ascended within the trade to become a role model for women and all people aspiring to enter the heating and cooling industry in Canada, as well as a proprietor of clean energy and green technology.
On her official website, Rachel Hilling shares timely advice with those who are interested in joining the trades as well as pertinent information about HVAC incentives like the Greener Homes Rebate. Such programs are not only good for the environment, but they have the potential to save homeowners and families thousands of dollars.
Rachel Hilling says she is fulfilled by her career because it’s a mix of working on various important projects while also creating new opportunities for women who want to enter the trades.
“After struggling myself in the industry as a woman, I’ve noticed that it has become a lot better over the years.” She goes on to say that EDI (equity, diversity and inclusion) is becoming more prominent in all industries, but especially in the trades where the disparity is most evident.
“There’s still a lot of work we need to do not only for women, but for visible minorities and people with disabilities.”
Throughout her career, Hilling has learned all aspects of the HVAC industry. She went on to work in various other roles, often in executive, leadership and mentorship positions. Hilling also worked diligently on marketing and sales within the HVAC industry.
She worked with search engine optimization companies to get HVAC businesses registered with Google. This helped bring in new work and supplied businesses with vital new projects and customers
To Rachel Hilling, the entire process is enjoyable and ultimately a learning experience. While heating and cooling is a technical industry with its own jargon, many facets of the business are universal and open the doors for positive change and meaningful experiences.
To learn more about Rachel Hilling and about opportunities in the HVAC industry in Canada, you can visit her official website.
