AIRAH publication, HVAC&R Nation, have published an article on 11 ways to be a better fridgie.
The article emphasises that the industry is constantly evolving and that people working within the industy need to evolve as well. AIRAH interviewed three industry workers for the article to provide their wisdom: Chris Fontana, Divisional Manager at Degree C in Hobart, Jenny Smith, Owner of About Airconditioning in Darwin, and Aaron McConnell, Refrigeration Mechanic at Airmaster Australia in Melbourne.
The 11 ways to be a better fridgie, according to the article are: continually updating skills, being a problem solver, practicising, getting involved with a nearby industry body, building communication skills and trust, building diagnostic and fault finding skills, becoming good at one trade before starting another, building motivation, completing paperwork correctly, maintaining good presentation, and keeping the site clean.
In regards to continually updating skills, Fontana recommends signing up to as many training and info nights as possible to update skills and be aware of any industry changes.
In regards to being a problem solver, Smith recommends getting to the heart of a problem, correcting it and following up on it.
In regards to practising, McConnell emphasises that answers aren’t readily available and that workers need to practice patience, both when it comes to making decisions on equipment as well as with people.
In regards to getting involved with a nearby industry body, Fontana emphasises that there are numerous industry bodies that represent the industry in different ways and that they put on events to discuss the industry, address any problems, and make connections.
In regards to building communication skills and trust, Smith emphasises the importance of a customer’s trust and getting to know them and their needs.
In regards to building diagnostic and fault finding skills, McConnell emphasises the importance of familiarising how to check the wiring of different systems, and having a good support network and getting advice.
In regards to becoming good at one trade before starting another, Fontana emphasises the importance of learning the necessary skills in the trade one is in before embarking on another one.
In regards to building motivation, McConnell recommends workers make their time and themselves invaluable, and to embrace what the industry has to offer.
In regards to completing paperwork correctly, Fontana emphasises the importance of paperwork to clients and a business, as well as the consequences of paperwork that is filled out incorrectly.
In regards to maintaining good presentation, Smith emphasises that workers ensure their van, ute, tools and equipment are well presented and maintained.
In regards to keeping the site clean, Fontana emphasises that the way a worker leaves their job site determines how they will be perceived by clients and to always keep sites clean.
AIRAH’s HVAC&R Nation article can be read in full here.
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