1. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Women in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVACR), Welding and Electronics and Computer Hardware www.womentechworld.org/ElCamino

2. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science What is HVACR? Positions may include repair of consumer appliances, repair and maintenance of industrial equipment used to heat, ventilate, and air condition buildings, managing energy utilization, and maintenance of aircraft cooling systems.

3. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path Graduates with an A.S. degree can enter the HVACR industry in entry level jobs such as:  Sales Person  Refrigeration service technician  Air conditioning service technician  Energy management  Controls technician

4. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path Advancement Once graduates have proven their skills and dedication at a company, many opportunities for advancement exist. With more experience, workers can advance to such positions as estimator, sales engineer, electrical appliance service technician, building maintenance person, boiler repair person, mechanic, installer, and HVACR service technician. Workers often receive ongoing training supplied by their employers, especially in larger companies, which helps them advance to higher level positions.

5. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Labor Market Approx. Starting Salary: $15 - 28 per hour for graduates with A.S. degree; at the high end, for example, graduates entering positions at ABM Engineering, a large facilities maintenance company, earn $28 per hour right out of class. Graduates with certificates may expect to earn $8 - 15 per hour. Average Salary: Experienced workers typically earn $25 - $60 per hour, depending on skill level and experience. Average Wage at Placement: $15 per hour Placement Rate: 98% of students are placed thanks to the increasing demand for workers in this industry and retirements of existing workers. Students have been recruited right from classes and sometimes take on jobs and continue their class work part-time. The HVACR program at El Camino works directly with a wide variety of companies to ensure that students are placed. Labor Market: Demand for workers in this area is very high because of the needs for more efficient energy management, the heightened demand for air conditioning in most building environments, and the use of computers and technology in the field. Many experienced workers have also reached retirement age, opening up additional placements. There is a labor shortage of 100,000 workers in this field nationally.

6. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Industries Employing Graduates of this Program  State, local, and Federal governments  Schools  Airports  Hospitals  Airlines  Retail sales  Corporations

7. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs Are employers hiring for jobs in this area? Absolutely! In fact, companies often recruit students directly from our classes. Some students take on positions and continue their schooling on a part-time basis. There is a huge shortage of workers in this field, and the shortage increases every year. We have a 98% placement rate for our students, so any student who applies him or herself will be able to find work.

8. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs cont’d Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology? A background in technology is not necessary to enter this field, although ideally you should have basic computer and tool identification skills when you begin the program. Once you are enrolled in the program, you will learn the basic technology skills you need to succeed in an entry-level position in HVACR. El Camino has many resources for women entering this field through its Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas? Yes, definitely! Recruiters seek out our male and female students even before they graduate. Women have proved themselves to be fully capable of performing the varied jobs in the HVACR field.

9. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Course Information  The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (HVACR) program provides both an A.S. degree and multiple certificate programs in specific niche areas.  Upon completion of the degree or certificate requirements, graduates gain proficiency in service, troubleshooting, and installation of residential, commercial, and industrial heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.

10. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Academic FAQ  The A.S. Degree program in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration takes 2 to 2-1/2 years to complete. The program requires 38 units in HVACR courses, plus general education requirements to total 60 units. Some students spread their coursework over a longer period if family or work obligations prevent them from attending school full- time.  There are several certificate programs in HVACR of varying lengths. The full Certificate of Completion requires 38 units and can be completed in 1-1/2 years. Other certificates in specialty areas such as Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, or Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Electric Controls require from 13 to 17 units, and can be completed in two semesters. How long will it take to complete this technology program?

11. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science What is Electronics and Computer Hardware? Much of the work in electronics is technical and mechanical, and varies depending on the field and placement. Positions may include installation and service of equipment in homes, offices, buildings and factories requiring the knowledge and use of tools.

12. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path Graduates with an A.S. degree can become:  Engineering technicians  Computer technicians  Electronic technicians

13. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path Advancement There are 3 different level of technicians, depending on your education and experience level:  C Technicians are entry level and have an A.S. degree. Those graduating from the El Camino Program with an A.S. degree have C Technician skills and education. These technicians make approximately $12-$25/hour.  B Technicians are intermediate level and have more experience in the field. These technicians may have taken more advanced classes beyond the A.S. degree, or are working towards or have a B.S. degree. These technicians make over $25/hour.  A Technicians are at the advanced level, have extensive experience in the field and work on highly sophisticated projects or programs. They have B.S. degrees and make approximately $75/hour

14. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Labor Market Approx. Starting Salary: $12-$15 per hour to start. Graduates with an A.S. degree begin as entry level technicians, and can earn more than those with a certificate. Average Salary: $12-$25 per hour to start, though career pay can range from $25-$75 per hour. It also depends on experience and your level of technical ability (whether you are entry level, intermediate, or an advanced technician). Average Wage at Placement: $12-$15 per hour to start with an A.S or a certificate. Placement Rate: 60% of El Camino’s graduates are placed in the electronics industry in a variety of fields. Due a high number of retirees, more jobs are becoming available to those who are qualified. Labor Market: As mentioned earlier, many people in the industry are retiring, therefore there is a need for all levels of technicians. In the El Camino area, the aerospace field is currently the strongest industry, though biomedical electronics and consumer electronics have a strong need for electronic technicians.

15. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Industries Employing Graduates of this Program  Aerospace  Electronics  Home and Business Installers  Biomedical Electronics  Local City and County Government.

16. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs Are employers hiring for jobs in this area? Yes. Right know I have two employers actively recruiting for women in the electronics field, Robinson Helicopter and Northrup Grumman Electronics. Most employers encourage their employees to take classes at ECC. Most anyone completing our program will able to find some type of job associated with electronics.

17. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs cont’d Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology? Yes. Many of our students enter as a ‘career change” We will help them develop those skills necessary to gain, at least an entry level job in electronics. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas? I find that most employers hire people that are both skilled and motivated. Women who have these qualities tend to stand out in a pool of potential employees.

18. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Course Information  The Electronics program provides both an A.S. degree and multiple certificate programs in specific niche areas.  Upon completion of the degree or certificate requirements, graduates can be employed as a “C” technician, though some can possibly be hired at the “B” level.

19. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Academic FAQ  The A.S. degree program in Electronics requires 60 units and takes 2 to 2 ½ years to complete. The program offers a Computer Technology or Electronic Technology option. Some students spread their coursework over a longer period if family or work obligations prevent them from attending school full-time.  The El Camino Electronics Department also offers many certificate programs which vary from 16 units to 36 units. How long will it take to complete this technology program?

20. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science What is Welding? Much of the work in welding is physical and requires prevision and attention to detail. Positions may include transportation and equipment manufacturing, metal product fabrication, and architectural and structural construction.

21. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career Path El Camino College will teach you the skills to gain employment into the field. By completing the degree or certificate requirements, you will gain proficiency in the following welding processes:  oxy-acetylene cutting  plasma arc cutting  brazing and welding  shielded metal arc welding  gas metal arc welding  gas tungsten arc welding  flux cored welding

22. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Labor Market Approx. Starting Salary: New graduates can expect $14-$18 per hour, depending on their level of mastery and where they are in their apprenticeship. Once they have finished with their apprenticeship, the average starting wage is $35 per hour. Average Salary: The mean salary for welders in Torrance is $19.75 for certified welders. Certified welders with at least two years of experience are averaging $27.36 per hour. Placement Rate: The Welding program at El Camino college sees nearly a 100% placement rate. Due to the increased number of retirees, jobs are becoming available to those who are qualified. As well as the fact that 90% of product usage involves welding, whether it is in the manufacturing stage or the end product. Labor Market: The labor market for welders is projected to grow 7% in Los Angeles County and 9% statewide in the next 10 years, which represents a higher than national average growth in the next decade. The excellent wages and career opportunities make these occupations an outstanding choice for students and job seekers.

23. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Industries Employing Graduates of this Program  Aerospace  Petro-Chemical  School Districts  Manufacturing  Automotive  Construction  Utilities

24. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs Are employers hiring for jobs in this area? Yes! In fact, your welding instructors go out 2-4 times a month and make industry contacts in the Los Angeles area. Companies that hire graduates of the Welding program include: Robertson Helicopter, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and Tanko, as well as petro-chemical, elevator and aerospace companies.

25. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Career FAQs cont’d Can I pursue a career in this field without a background in technology? While it is not necessary to have a background in technology to enter the Welding program at El Camino College, you should know basic computer skills as the program prepares you to do some Computer Aided Design (CAD) and measurements on a computer. Will employers hire women into male-dominated technology areas? Absolutely! We know of many employers who have hired women as welders. Although women may have not been well represented in these fields in the past, this is changing.

26. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Course Information  The Welding program provides both an A.S. degree and multiple certificate programs in specific niche areas.  Upon completion of the degree or certificate requirements, graduates can be employed as welding instructors (with work experience), manufacturing technicians, structural engineer, pipe welders, metal fabricators, sheet metal workers, and structural welders.

27. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Academic FAQ  To obtain an A.S. degree will take 2 semesters or about 6 months.  To complete a Certificate of Competence or the Certificate of Completion will take 3 semesters, between 1 and 2 years. The length of time to complete the program depends on whether or not you are also working and how many classes you take each semester.  Day and evening classes are available, depending on your schedule. How long will it take to complete this welding program?

28. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Class Hours  Courses are offered during both daytime and evening hours.  Class schedules vary by semester.

29. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Role Models If They Can Do It So Can You!

30. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Valerie Brown HVACR Service Tech Trainee "As a women I can do anything I put my mind to. Finishing something that I started and getting my degree has given me confidence, it has put a little pep in my step!"

31. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Valerie Brown cont’d  Valerie Brown had a successful career in the insurance industry for over 20 years but she felt she had gotten too complacent in her job and she wanted a new challenge.  In her second year of the program, she was hired as an HVAC Service Tech trainee, and after three months on the job, she landed a Building Engineer position at ABM Engineering. Salary: $15 - $30 per hour Education: Years in Field: Less than one year El Camino College (plans to complete her A.S. Degree in the Summer of 2008) City/State: Los Angeles, CA

32. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Valerie Brown cont’d Advice for Women: She advises other women that “whatever your dream is, go for it, don’t waver. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.” Asked for tips she’s learned about how to deal with working with so many men, Valerie advises, “Be yourself. Don’t try to be a she-woman. If you know you can’t do something, say so. Learn from others, and be teachable.”

33. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Wendy Kahan-Wright Age 42, Electronics Instructor and Electronics Tool Room Technician Employed by: El Camino College “You have to get aggressive, step forward, and get the job done. Usually, as soon as people see your ability, the fact that you’re a woman goes away. You just have to kind of shrug off [people’s misconceptions about what you can do].”

34. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Wendy Kahan-Wright cont’d  She found the professors at El Camino outstanding, and she appreciated that the program incorporated great hands-on labs to bring learning to a real-world level.  Although Wendy was the only female in her electronics classes, she didn’t encounter any barriers at El Camino. Salary:Electronics technician $23-28/hour Part-time instructor $78-91/hour for lecture $53- 69/hour for labs Education: El Camino College: A.S. degree in Computer Technology (now called Electronics and Computer Hardware) Years in field:22Cal State University, Long Beach: courses toward B.S. degree in Occupational Studies City/State:Gardena, CA

35. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Wendy Kahan-Wright cont’d Advice for Women: Wendy suggests that any woman considering a technical field decide up front whether she’s comfortable with a hands-on experience. “Most technical positions are going to expect you to take something apart and work with tools. You have to want to work with your hands.” She believes that the soldering skill required in the field is more artistic than technical, and she believes women typically do it better than men.

36. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Dulce Rodriguez Age 20, Welder Currently attending El Camino College full time “Don’t be scared to try it, it doesn’t hurt to try. If you don’t actually make it or don’t feel it’s for you at least you gave it a try and you won’t say ‘what if?’ or ‘I should have.’ These are high paying jobs. As long as a state keeps growing, they’re going to need welders.”

37. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Dulce Rodriguez cont’d  Dulce took her first welding class at El Camino while she was still a senior in high school.  While still in school she found a job at a small privately-owned welding shop in Hawthorne to get more first-hand experience. Salary:$10 - $12/hour at private shop $14.25/hour for entry level work through the Sheet Metal Workers’ Union. Education: El Camino College: Plans to complete her A.S. degree in welding in 2008 Years in field:3 months City/State:Norwalk, California

38. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Dulce Rodriguez cont’d When Dulce enrolled in her first welding course at El Camino College, she found the Women in Industry and Technology (WIT) program especially helpful. “When I got there I was scared to death. I was still a high school student, and they helped me with everything, they were always there. She [the WIT counselor] kept following up, every month I got at least one phone call.”

39. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science Women in Tech & Trades Associations  Women in HVACR - www.womeninhvacr.org National organization with 200 members for Women in the HVACR industry with an annual conference, webinars, membership newsletter and member directory.  Work4Women - www.work4women.org On-line Support groups for technical/mechanical, information technology, telecommunications, construction, and more. Virtual communities.  Women in Electrical and Electronic Engineering - www.ieee.org/women Women in IEEE is a membership organization that provides awards, receptions at major technical conferences, career advancement programs, mentoring and assistance through affinity groups and activities, as well as facilitates the development of programs and activities that promote the entry into and retention of women in engineering programs.

40. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science El Camino College CalWomenTech Website Features  Find an e-mentor  Read real women’s success stories  Check out news articles about women in the field  Find out information about the programs  See our list of women in technology career associations  Take advantage of industry articles and listservs  Join WomenTech Talk Visit us at: www.WomenTechWorld.org/ElCamino

41. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org The on-line home for women technicians to connect with each other. Whether you are a Network Engineer, a Mechanic or a Sound Tech or a female student in a tech major, you'll want to visit WomenTechWorld.Org where you're not alone anymore.

42. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org WomenTechTalk This listserv has more than 500 women technicians and students participating in an email discussion group. It serves as a source of support and inspiration where women help each other with questions and topics such as:  How do I effectively handle negative comments by classmates or coworkers so I can focus on my class or job?  Finding a Job in Your Male-Dominated Field  Getting Promoted in Your Male-Dominated Field

43. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org E-Mentoring  E-Mentors exists to connect female students in technology/trades with women successfully working in male-dominated fields  Women new to traditionally male jobs can find guidance and support from women who have been there

44. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science WomenTechWorld.org E-Jobs Connect with employers who are actively seeking female job applicants in typically male-dominated professions. E-Jobs offers you:  Free, current listings in HVACR, Welding and Electronics and Computer Hardware  Auto Notify, which gives you email notices when new jobs meeting your criteria have been posted  My Checklist feature to save your favorite job opportunities for easy reference

45. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project 8 California community colleges receive expert support and technical assistance from the Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science to help recruit and retain women into technology programs where they are under-represented.

46. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project cont’d  El Camino College –HVACR, Welding and Electronics and Computer Hardware Programs  City College of San Francisco –DHTI Program  San Diego Mesa College –GIS program  Cañada College –Video Game Design program

47. © 2008 – Institute for Women in Trades, Technology & Science CalWomenTech Project cont’d  Evergreen Valley College –Hybrid-Alternative Fuel Program  Irvine Valley College –Electronics Technology Program  Las Positas College –Automotive and Welding Programs  San Jose City College –Facilities Maintenance Technology Program