No Degree Required: Why I'm cool with doing blue-collar work and servicing air-cons

When I was young, I thought studies were not important and neglected them. Not surprisingly, my N-Level results were not great.

While browsing through the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) website for courses I could apply for, it occurred to me that with Singapore being such a hot and humid country, we can’t live without air-conditioning.

So I opted for a Nitec in Facility Technology (Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration), which I started in April 2010. 

During the course, I went on an exchange programme at Box Hill Institute in Melbourne, Australia, where I saw women and many locals in blue-collar jobs.

I was even more surprised to hear that plumbers, electricians, and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) technicians were in demand in Australia.

It made me hope that such jobs can achieve the same level of recognition in Singapore. 

In May 2013, I started working for Stulz (Singapore) — a German air-conditioning services firm — as a service engineer.

During my interview, I frankly told the hiring manager that I did not have much experience. He was more than willing to train me, so I got the job. 

There, I learnt a lot about computer room air-conditioning and how temperature, humidity and airflow can affect machine performance. 

Stulz also sent me to Hamburg, Germany, for a week of training at its headquarters.

It was an eye-opening experience. There, I also noticed that many of their technicians are locals as well.

I stayed on with Stulz for six years, during which I also completed a part-time Higher Nitec in Marine and Offshore Technology as well as a part-time diploma in Building Services and Fire Safety from Ngee Ann Polytechnic. 

In 2018, my sister was hospitalised for eight weeks due to a lung infection. She couldn’t work after that and had to depend on the family.

That was when I started thinking about leaving my comfort zone to help take care of my sister.

I didn’t plan much — I resigned in May 2019 to look after her and rest. It was then that I decided to set up my own business as I love hands-on work and going to different job locations. 

In December 2019, I started Comfort Cooling Services, which provides air-conditioning and repair services.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 struck just two months later. During the lockdown, I did some freelance work in building and servicing to get by. 

From there, I slowly built my customer base. I had zero connections so it wasn’t until mid-2021 that I started getting regular clients.

I know many people are sceptical when engaging contractors to service their air-conditioners. I told myself I had to build up a business that provides honest and quality service. 

My ITE lecturers taught me good installation work, and I used that to guide me while building my business. 

When my customers engage my services, I won’t push unnecessary add-ons such as topping up refrigerant gas annually. 

This is a common contractor suggestion that is not necessary as long as the air-conditioner is installed properly and working fine. 

A typical day will see me servicing air-conditioners at different locations and sometimes meeting new customers, who get to know of me through word-of-mouth.

It’s very satisfying for me as I feel that I learn something new every day, even though I have been doing this for a while.

My biggest challenge is having to get over my fear of heights, especially when I have  customers in older Housing and Development Board flats with no air-conditioner ledge.

I have to use a safety harness to climb out of the flat to check or top up the refrigerant.

It gives me great satisfaction when my customers give me good feedback on my work, and when I manage to solve their air-conditioning problems.

To me, machines can’t do a hands-on job like mine. You need to be able to think on your feet. I feel that there will be great demand for skilled workers (plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians and so on), especially when fewer people are taking up such jobs.

For those thinking of going into this line, have faith in your skill and do what you are happy with.

ABOUT THE WRITER:

Ho Boon Ping, 34, runs his own business — Comfort Cooling Services — and provides air-conditioning and handyman services such as plumbing, replacing of taps, water tank accessories, and electrical switches.

If you have an experience to share or know someone who wishes to contribute to this series, write to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.