Wall-to-wall automation controls from Fluidra, Hayward, and Pentair lined the Folsom Eagles Lodge walls in preparation. After a while, a woman’s voice announced that training would begin. The snap-to-attention allowed one to hear a DPD tab drop. This was the beginning of the hands-on training session on wiring automation that quickly gained the attention of the manufacturing giants. What made this event a focus for the “Big 3”? This long overdue initiative in continuing education tackled a grossly underserved niche head-on.
Creating a Program Geared Towards Women
In a predominately male industry, only 9% of pool technicians in the United States are women (Zippia.com, September 2022). In sectors such as education and manufacturing women are the majority, but in this field, female pool contractors and service techs are still the minority. Despite full-time careers and entrepreneurship; we’re not given a pass on the culturally expected duties of being a woman, such as juggling children, spouses, and household management.
These added responsibilities, combined with a societal view that still leans toward women being less competent in skilled labor trades, make the traditional means of gaining education even more of a challenge. Sadly, women in co-ed environments often feel intimidated by their male peers. Not all, but a few wet tablets can make an entire bucket stink at a meeting.
Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group
The solution? Twice a year, the PGP (Pool Girl Pro) Industry Training Group meets for in-depth and highly comprehensive master programs designed to build technical acumen for the women in the pool industry. Janet Reed and I formed PGP for just those reasons. All people, regardless of gender, should be free of ridicule in asking basic questions regarding technical installation, operation, and troubleshooting. With a primary focus on specialized hands-on training, Janet and I will strive to ensure those goals are met for those who find an all-female attendance more conducive to education.
PGP Industry Training Group had its first in-person, hands-on, all-women training in January 2020 at Leisure Supply Sacramento. This was right before the pandemic hit the world hard! Eight women from the Great Sacramento Area, Bay Area, and Central California attended a Fluidra-led training session on automation controls, variable speed pumps, and pool sweeps. During this first inaugural session, we noticed many men embracing a program that two women had developed. We welcomed them with open arms and exclusion was a non-issue. Many responded excitedly, supporting a group that their wives and daughters could attend to boost their skills without fear of harassment.
Reaching The Women of The Industry
During the pandemic, PGP was fortunate to continue offering in-person, hands-on training and webinars. We reduced the seat numbers during that timeframe to follow local social distancing regulations but provided live streaming of the events for those who could not attend in person. The streaming option allowed our group to reach more women across the country than ever before.
“I love the option to attend a virtual women’s training and gain knowledge from other women in our industry! It’s a great experience to be surrounded by other confident and determined women!” – Lindsay Brown, Oasis Pool Management, Florida.
Over the past couple of years, PGP events evolved to include networking and mentorship. The ladies would talk amongst each other at each in-person training, and afterward, in social settings, we would go out to dinner with presenters. This afforded us the opportunity to talk shop, family, and discuss life with each other and the vendor support system. This began the infield assistance network our group members enjoy today.
Finally, after three years, PGP is able to offer women-taught training. Our in-person and online attendees are learning the basics of wiring and automation control subpanel. They leavie our comprehensive program eager to employ those new skills in the field.
“The [wiring automation] training was delightful and well prepared. I felt the class catered to a diverse audience and was low-pressure, a factor of comfort I appreciated. I thought it to be a cohesive learning environment and the type everyone would feel welcomed to come to expand their knowledge, ask questions, and feel encouraged to pursue working in this industry.” – Reina Arrostuto, Ohana Family Pools
Pool Girl Pro Industry Training Group is currently in the process of becoming a non-profit organization. The 501(c)(3) status will permit us the ability to provide additional quality educational opportunities, an increased number of training locations, and even more ability to support the advancement of women in the industry. Ultimately, we want to provide quality educational opportunities, more in-person training locations, and support women’s progress in the industry.
“In a sea of men, the Pool Girl Pro is a long-awaited group of women dedicated to a career in the swimming pool and spa industry and each other,” said Timber Vincent of Blue Dolphin Pool and Spa in Danville, CA. “We support one another; questions can be asked without the fear of judgment; we champion each other to be our best, and hands-on education is offered and encouraged. And together, we hope to make the industry nongender-specific. These gals are the modern Rosie the Riveter of the pool industry.”
Women can join PGP Industry Training Group on Facebook, where they can find training announcements, educational posts, and a place to ask questions when needed. To connect with women who they can consult and support on an international level. If you would like to join the group or get involved, you can find them on Facebook or email [email protected]
