A Woman in AC Repair

In a male-dominated field, Cynthia Reyes is showing that women belong in AC repair too. As a technician at Dave’s AC World, she has overcome many challenges to make her mark in the industry. Being the only woman in her class at ITVET, Reyes tackled every obstacle head-on and excelled. Her journey is not just about breaking barriers but also inspiring other women to consider trades as a viable career path. News Five’s Sabreena Daly has the story.

 

Sabreena Daly, Reporting

For twenty-five years, Amanda Betancourt, the owner of Dave’s AC World, has been in the air conditioning business. In all that time, she had never seen a female AC technician—until now. Cynthia Reyes is one of Belize’s formally trained female AC technicians, making her mark in the trade.

 

Amanda Betancourt, Owner, Dave’s AC World
“ We do have a female on staff that is an AC technician and does electrical as well. And yes, she does get up there and service the units. She also knows how to install and repair. And that goes good as well too because when she takes trouble calls, When people are calling and say, well, this is not working, that is not working, she knows exactly which questions to ask, so that when we dispatch the guys out, we know exactly to tell them to look for this or to look for that, or to try this to repair it.”

 

In Belize, more women are stepping into trades traditionally dominated by men, like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and AC repair. Despite facing cultural perceptions and a lack of female mentors, their interest in these fields is growing. Their presence is challenging gender norms and proving that passion and skill have no gender boundaries. Cynthia Reyes’ journey wasn’t easy. She was the only woman in her AC technical studies at ITVET, but she didn’t let that stop her. She embraced the challenge and excelled.

 

Cynthia Reyes, AC Technician, Dave’s Ac World
“ I was the only female in my class in high school and in ITVet. I was the only female in my class. It was a bit challenging being the only female, but I did my best. I tried. I had a little bit of competition, but I got awards first in little things. I got an award for the trainee of the year. I was involved in even helping with the school to promote females and to help them to come to ITVET.”

 

Reyes’ passion for the trade began early. She noticed a growing demand for AC technicians in her community of Orange Walk as air conditioning became more popular in Belizean homes and businesses. Seeing this opportunity, she decided to pursue the field despite the challenges, determined to make her mark in the industry.

 

Cynthia Reyes

“Because Belize is hot, and not everyone can repair an AC. I’d say about 80% of the population now has an AC too. In Orange Walk, there weren’t many AC technicians, and many would travel to Belize City to work for AC companies. So, I decided that when I got older, I wanted to have my own company and become an AC technician. That’s why I went to study AC at IT Vet.”

 

Reyes isn’t just breaking barriers; she’s also educating customers about the importance of AC maintenance. She emphasizes the need for regular service to keep systems efficient and maintain good air quality.

 

Cynthia Reyes

“We recommend servicing AC units every three months, including for businesses. The main reason is that the filters get dirty, and with so many illnesses going around, keeping them clean helps maintain air quality. Regular servicing also prevents dust buildup, which can clog airflow and make the fan work harder. When the AC has to force itself to function due to dust obstruction, it eventually stops cooling efficiently. As a result, the unit consumes more electricity, leading to higher energy bills.”

 

Amanda Bentancourt hopes that Reyes’ success will inspire more women to break barriers and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. She believes that seeing women excel in trades like AC repair can encourage others to follow their passion, showing that skill and determination matter more than gender.

Amanda Betancourt Owner, Dave’s AC World

“I would think that it should be encouraging for any female to see that you can do it, that nothing is there that you can’t do. And yes, there are limitations, but there are limitations in everything. In every occupation, there are limitations. There may be limitations for men to do clerical work, too. So, I think it should be encouraging to any female to know that if there’s something that I like or a field that I like, there’s nothing that I can’t do.”

 

Cynthia Reyes

“I would say being in a male-dominated field is challenging, but it’s important not to give up. At times, it can be complicated, but as my boss mentioned, we women are capable of doing jobs traditionally dominated by men. It’s not impossible, and while it may be challenging, it’s not something that should be seen as too difficult to accomplish.”

 

Thanks to trailblazers like Cynthia Reyes, AC repair in Belize might soon see more women in the field, proving that women belong in every trade. As more women take on these roles, they challenge outdated norms and inspire future generations to follow their passions without limits. Looking on the Bright Side, I’m Sabreena Daly.