REFCA Services co-founder & operations manager, Michelle Popovski, has always been a strong advocate for the R in HVACR.
Popovski is passionate about the industry and would like to see more governance and protection for the trade.
“Unlike other industries, HVACR doesn’t have a dedicated governing body or union to support and safeguard the trade,” she said.
“Over the years I’ve watched as the scope of our work has been diluted; tasks that were once the responsibility of refrigeration technicians are now being handed off to plumbers and electricians.
“Additionally, with each state having its own licensing requirements and standards, it’s clear we need unified national licensing guidelines and consistent standards across the board.”
Licensing is a hot topic right now due to the Productivity Commission’s national licensing review.
Popovski said national standards and licensing need to apply universally regardless of which state or territory technicians obtained their qualifications.
After more than two decades running a commercial refrigeration and air conditioning company with her husband, Popovski would like to see HVACR split into two separate trades.
“We’ve seen first-hand how under-trained technicians are when they complete their apprenticeship and then work in the air conditioning sector,” she said.
“We’ve had to invest significant time and money into retraining these technicians in refrigeration, which has been a costly and inefficient process. Too often we encounter apprentices who have been signed off as competent by TAFE and private trade schools, yet they are not ready for the workforce.
“It is not only dangerous it demonstrates no duty of care towards the apprentices and the industry as a whole.”
Popovski made CCN’s 2024 Women in HVACR Top 20 and recognises the need to promote HVACR as a great career.
“To truly promote the trade to women we need to ensure they feel safe and supported in their working environment; we have made progress but more needs to be done,” she said.
“More female mentorship programs would be incredibly beneficial as well as more women on industry boards; it’s about representation and creating opportunities for women to excel and lead in the trade.
“Women need to see other women thriving in the roles they aspire to.”
Popovski said open days at large facilities, such as supermarkets, cold storage warehouses and multi-storey buildings, are a great way to get young people excited about the trade.
“It’s about sparking their curiosity and exposing them to areas of the industry they may not have encountered before,” she said.
Popovski loves HVACR because no two days are ever the same.
“With so many moving parts it keeps things exciting,” she said.
“It’s a field where both men and women can succeed and thrive, as long as they’re in the right environment.”
Showcasing women in HVACR
Be part of this year’s Women in HVACR Top 20 to be profiled in the October/November edition of CCN magazine.
It is a great way to let the entire world know about the wide range of careers available to women in HVACR – whether it’s a trade role, product development position, sales, research or the board room – the opportunities are endless.
Our Top 20 are at the forefront of this transformation and are proud to be part of an industry that really does make a difference.
This showcase is not about age or title but personal experience and passion which is why it features young rising stars as well as senior executives and academics.
Women included in our Top 20 are nominated by industry peers and selected by CCN. Nominations close August 30, 2025.
Go to www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/whvacr