Tirzah finds her role
01 Apr 2025
Tirzah qualified as a heating engineer with LCL Awards certified training provider, Serc, in Northern Ireland and has been working at Greenview for the past three and a half years. She has recently also qualified in the installation and servicing of air source heat pumps. Working as a heating engineer is her second career and she couldn’t be happier having made the change.
After leaving school Tirzah spent some time in Australia, where she found herself working in retail and hospitality. On her return to Northern Ireland she moved into hospitality management and rose to the top of the tree, with several qualifications behind her, but she came to a point where something had to give.
Tirzah had been a hands-on learner at school and particularly enjoyed, ICD, Maths and Science. She loved problem-solving and had even thought about a possible career in building services, but back then - roughly twenty years ago – construction wasn’t regarded as a suitable career for women. She explains:
“I’d thought about it, but there was very little information available and the idea of a woman working in a trade was unheard of. In the end the demands of my career in hospitality began to get to me – running bars and clubs I had to be available 24/7 and as I made my way through my thirties, I realised it just wasn’t viable anymore.
“Making the career change has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of my life, and I haven’t looked back since. I began with a plumbing course at Belfast Met and have gone on to qualify in plumbing, gas and oil, so I’m now a fully qualified heating engineer and I love it! My partner and my family have been so supportive and that’s helped me make a new life for myself, I only have one regret and that’s not doing this sooner.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been proving myself in a male-dominated field, but on a one-to-one level, the men who’ve mentored me through my training couldn’t have been more helpful and encouraging. I think they could see from the start that I was serious, keen to learn and not afraid to get my hands dirty. I use the gym most days to keep strong and mobile and don’t expect special treatment. They respect me for that and have, without exception, bent over backwards to help me get where I am.
“I love the work. No two days are the same and I’m always learning something new. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I can fix heating systems in the middle of winter, ensuring that a family or elderly person isn’t left in the cold.
“It's funny, but these days it can be the customers, rather than my workmates, who sometimes doubt my abilities. They often do a double-take when I arrive at a job - I’m five foot nothing with long blonde hair and even when I’m standing in front of them in my overalls and boots they take a bit of convincing!
“I suppose even today a female heating engineer is a bit of a rarity, but once they get to see my skills and knowledge and watch me fixing their heating systems, their assumptions quickly change. Attitudes are changing slowly, and I’ve found that a lot of our more vulnerable customers feel safer with a woman working in their homes, so I get to benefit from that.
“It’s sad when I hear about women feeling that engineering isn’t for them. For any woman considering a career in this industry, my advice is simple: Go for it!
“Don’t let stereotypes hold you back. The only real barrier is yourself. Being a heating engineer is challenging and rewarding by turns and offers incredible opportunities. Find a mentor, gain hands-on experience, develop your skills, and most importantly, believe in yourself!
“Visibility is key. Showcasing female role models in traditionally male orientated jobs helps break down stereotypes and proves that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.”
Tirzah qualified as a heating engineer with LCL Awards certified training provider, Serc, in Northern Ireland and has been working at Greenview for the past three and a half years. She has recently also qualified in the installation and servicing of air source heat pumps. Working as a heating engineer is her second career and she couldn’t be happier having made the change.
After leaving school Tirzah spent some time in Australia, where she found herself working in retail and hospitality. On her return to Northern Ireland she moved into hospitality management and rose to the top of the tree, with several qualifications behind her, but she came to a point where something had to give.
Tirzah had been a hands-on learner at school and particularly enjoyed, ICD, Maths and Science. She loved problem-solving and had even thought about a possible career in building services, but back then - roughly twenty years ago – construction wasn’t regarded as a suitable career for women. She explains:
“I’d thought about it, but there was very little information available and the idea of a woman working in a trade was unheard of. In the end the demands of my career in hospitality began to get to me – running bars and clubs I had to be available 24/7 and as I made my way through my thirties, I realised it just wasn’t viable anymore.
“Making the career change has been one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences of my life, and I haven’t looked back since. I began with a plumbing course at Belfast Met and have gone on to qualify in plumbing, gas and oil, so I’m now a fully qualified heating engineer and I love it! My partner and my family have been so supportive and that’s helped me make a new life for myself, I only have one regret and that’s not doing this sooner.
“One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced has been proving myself in a male-dominated field, but on a one-to-one level, the men who’ve mentored me through my training couldn’t have been more helpful and encouraging. I think they could see from the start that I was serious, keen to learn and not afraid to get my hands dirty. I use the gym most days to keep strong and mobile and don’t expect special treatment. They respect me for that and have, without exception, bent over backwards to help me get where I am.
“I love the work. No two days are the same and I’m always learning something new. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I can fix heating systems in the middle of winter, ensuring that a family or elderly person isn’t left in the cold.
“It's funny, but these days it can be the customers, rather than my workmates, who sometimes doubt my abilities. They often do a double-take when I arrive at a job - I’m five foot nothing with long blonde hair and even when I’m standing in front of them in my overalls and boots they take a bit of convincing!
“I suppose even today a female heating engineer is a bit of a rarity, but once they get to see my skills and knowledge and watch me fixing their heating systems, their assumptions quickly change. Attitudes are changing slowly, and I’ve found that a lot of our more vulnerable customers feel safer with a woman working in their homes, so I get to benefit from that.
“It’s sad when I hear about women feeling that engineering isn’t for them. For any woman considering a career in this industry, my advice is simple: Go for it!
“Don’t let stereotypes hold you back. The only real barrier is yourself. Being a heating engineer is challenging and rewarding by turns and offers incredible opportunities. Find a mentor, gain hands-on experience, develop your skills, and most importantly, believe in yourself!
“Visibility is key. Showcasing female role models in traditionally male orientated jobs helps break down stereotypes and proves that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.”