By Eamonn Ryan
Speaking at the SADC RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) interactive workshop in November, Lutendo Ndhlovu, representing the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), outlined the programme. This is Part 1 of a five-part series.
Lutendo Ndhlovu of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). © RACA Journal
A groundbreaking initiative in South Africa is focused on empowering female servicing technicians working within the informal sector of the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) industry. This programme, supported by DFFE aims to provide training and qualifications for women technicians, helping them gain formal recognition and operate with environmentally sustainable practices.
Background: empowering women in a male-dominated industry
The initiative is in line with South Africa’s broader gender empowerment policies and environmental goals, specifically targeting women working in the informal sector—an area often overlooked in formal training and regulation. In line with policies of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) – a Fund set up by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol to assist developing countries to comply with the terms of the Montreal Protocol – the South African government has been keen to push for more substantial gender participation in technical fields, especially in the wake of the growing need for environmentally responsible technicians in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.
Addressing the informal sector is a critical focus
One of the key drivers behind this initiative was the need to formalise and regulate the informal servicing sector, which has long been a key part of South Africa’s economy. Many of the workers in this sector have years of experience but lack formal qualifications. The programme targets individuals who have at least one year of experience in servicing RAC equipment but may not have received formal training. The training initiative is designed to provide these workers with the necessary skills, tools and qualifications to work within the regulated sector, while also promoting environmentally friendly practices in line with international standards.
Ndhlovu outlined the goals of the programme:
- Empower female technicians by providing the necessary training and tools
- Promote quality workmanship within the informal sector
- Raise awareness of the environmental impact of refrigerants and the importance of sustainable practices
- Create a more inclusive sector where women have the opportunity to thrive professionally.
Training and qualification the first step toward formalisation
To date, the programme has trained 88 female technicians, primarily from the Durban and Johannesburg regions. However, the training facilities hosted in these cities also attracted participants from other areas of South Africa. These technicians were issued qualification cards as authorised servicing technicians, aligned with the standards set by SARACCA (Southern African Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association).
