8 March 2025 — In celebration of International Women’s Day, the International Network of Women in Cooling (INWIC) officially launched its Mentorship Programme, a new online service designed to connect women professionals in the cooling sector across the world, encouraging knowledge exchange and career development in the industry. Professionals in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pumps (RACHP) are invited to register as mentors or mentees and become part of the first cohort of this free service.
INWIC is an international network of organisations that promotes the role of women in the RACHP sector, contributes to improving the professional careers of women working or studying in cooling, promotes best practices including those related to the environment, and inspires future generations of women to join this important sector.
With limited mentorship opportunities in the cooling sector worldwide, the Mentorship Programme aims to bridge the gap by providing an accessible platform for women and other professionals in the industry, including in developing countries. It is designed to be inclusive and accessible to professionals at all levels, including technicians, engineers, managers, and industry leaders. Recognizing that technical skills are critical in the cooling sector, the programme also offers mentorship opportunities tailored to technicians seeking professional development and technical guidance, to gain insights into best practices, techniques, skills and career progression.
The global reach of the Mentorship Programme allows mentees to connect with experienced professionals from different countries, industries, and backgrounds, ensuring that expertise is shared across borders with fresh perspectives.
What is the INWIC Mentorship Programme?
The programme offers a three-month mentorship cycle, renewable, with an opportunity for mentees to gain insights from industry professionals and receive career guidance based on their goals. Mentors benefit from guiding the next generation of women professionals, expanding their own leadership skills, and contributing to the advancement of women in the field.
The mentorship can cover:
- Technical knowledge, including expertise in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps.
- Soft skills, such as leadership, communication and career development.
- Workplace challenges, including navigating career progression in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
Why join as a mentee?
The INWIC Mentorship Programme is free of charge and designed to support mentees at all career stages, whether they are early-career professionals, mid-career specialists, or individuals transitioning into leadership roles. Mentees can benefit from guidance and support from experienced professionals with key benefits:
- Mentees will be matched with experienced mentors from around the world, providing exposure to different industry practices, insights, and career pathways in the cooling sector.
- The mentorship is tailored to the mentee’s specific needs, whether they seek guidance on technical knowledge, career progression, skills, or workplace challenges.
- Through one-on-one mentorship, mentees receive valuable advice, encouragement, and professional insights, helping them navigate challenges, build confidence, and advance in their careers.
How does it work?
- Registration: Participants sign up as a mentor, a mentee, or both.
- Mentees: The programme is open to INWIC members looking for guidance and support in their careers. If you’re not yet a member, join INWIC today to participate! A link to register as a mentee will be accessible from your account.
- Mentors: INWIC members and INWIC affiliates, including male colleagues supporting gender diversity in the industry, can join the programme as mentors. Join INWIC today to participate! A link to register as a mentor will be accessible from your account.
- Matching process: Mentees will be assigned a mentor automatically.
- Personalized mentorship: Each mentorship relationship is tailored to the mentee’s needs, with a personalized mentorship agreement. With a recommended three-month mentorship cycle (extendable), the frequency of meetings can be adjusted based on needs, accommodating different time zones and schedules.
Long-term change can be achieved through this initiative to ensure that women in cooling have the support and resources they need to thrive, to build a more inclusive, skilled, and empowered workforce. This in turn will help the cooling sector provide more societal benefits and contribute to the economy while ensuring strong environmental performance.
About INWIC
INWIC was created by World Refrigeration Day (WRD) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction with the support of the founding partners, namely AIRAH, AREA, ASHRAE, CAR, FAIAR, IIR, IOR, ISHRAE, JSRAE, U-3ARC, and Women in HVAC&R.
