HVAC Woman of the Year
Company: Carrier Commercial HVAC, UKI
Nominee Name: Adele Watson, Apprenticeship Programme Lead
Supporting Statement
Adele Watson, Apprenticeship Programme Lead, Carrier Commercial HVAC
Professional Overview
I am the Apprenticeship Programme Lead at Carrier, responsible for the strategic design and delivery of apprenticeships supporting the HVAC sector. Since I started in this role in February 2024, I have been committed to widening access to technical careers and ensuring apprentices receive high quality, meaningful training aligned to industry needs. We now have over 55 apprentices on programme, including 29 RACHP apprentices, across four business units in a variety of technical roles.
With a background in recruitment, education and workforce development, I work closely with technicians, training providers, colleges and apprentices to ensure programmes are technically robust, compliant and future focused. I provide strategic oversight while prioritising pastoral care, recognising that apprentices thrive when supported professionally and personally. My role strengthens standards, improves consistency and builds long term skills, helping close the sector’s skills gap one apprentice at a time.
Key Achievements and Professional Excellence
A key achievement in my role has been strengthening the quality, credibility and manager confidence in apprenticeship delivery across the RACHP sector. I have led the development and ongoing improvement of programmes that balance technical competence with real workplace application, so apprentices are not just meeting requirements but becoming capable, confident engineers who can contribute from an early stage.
One of the most impactful pieces of work has been creating a comprehensive apprenticeship playbook. This sets out clear expectations for apprentices, managers and mentors, bringing consistency to what can otherwise feel fragmented. I work closely with managers and mentors on a regular basis to review progress, address issues early and keep development on track. I also implemented an apprenticeship support framework that enables tighter progression monitoring and clearer accountability. As part of this, I have been working towards transparent skills matrices for each business unit and role, helping define competence in practical terms and giving apprentices a clear line of sight to the next stage of their development.
I supported the opening of the training academy in Bracknell and helped manage the integration of structured training in RACHP and HVAC fundamentals. This ensured apprentices receive robust, hands-on technical grounding aligned to operational standards across the business.
Beyond programme structure, I have focused on visibility and recognition. I regularly share progress updates and real stories from the field, highlighting what apprentices are working on and celebrating mentor and mentee partnerships. This has helped shine a spotlight on often overlooked members of the workforce who are delivering strong work and contributing meaningfully to business performance.
I also organised the first national apprenticeship event, bringing together apprentices from across the UK for a two-day programme focused on belonging, resilience and teamwork. The event strengthened peer networks, built confidence and reinforced a shared identity across regions. Collectively, these initiatives have created a more connected, accountable and future ready apprenticeship community.
Leadership, Influence and Industry Impact
My leadership style is collaborative, values driven and grounded in accountability. While I do not lead large operational teams directly, I exert meaningful influence through clear standards, strong professional relationships and the confidence to challenge constructively when quality or learner experience is at risk. I believe leadership is defined by impact rather than hierarchy, and I take personal responsibility for raising expectations and supporting others to succeed.
I actively mentor colleagues, apprentices and employer partners, supporting women in the RACHP/HVAC sector. By sharing my knowledge and modelling high standards, I aim to inspire confidence, encourage professional pride and promote best practice across the apprenticeship ecosystem.
Beyond my immediate role, I contribute to wider industry conversations around skills development, workforce sustainability and the importance of apprenticeships in strengthening the sector. I am a member of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network and was recently invited to discuss RACHP apprenticeship college standards with the Further Education Commissioner’s Team. I consistently advocate for technical and vocational careers as credible, respected pathways, challenging outdated perceptions and encouraging employers to see apprentices as long term investments who bring innovation, loyalty and future capability.
I am known for leading with kindness while maintaining high standards. I believe compassion and performance go hand in hand, creating environments where individuals feel supported, heard and motivated to improve. This approach strengthens trust across partners and enables open, productive conversations about quality, compliance and continuous improvement, contributing positively to both organisational outcomes and the wider industry.
Innovation and Forward Thinking
Innovation in my work is centred on strengthening the structure, visibility and long-term effectiveness of our apprenticeship programmes. I am advocating for the implementation of our skills matrix within our HR system, Workday, which will enable more accurate and transparent monitoring of apprentice progress against their RACHP standard. Once live, this will provide clearer oversight for managers and apprentices, helping to identify development needs earlier, track competence more effectively and create a more streamlined and accountable progress monitoring process.
I am also progressing plans to upgrade our training academy with additional equipment aligned to current RACHP standards. By investing in relevant, modern systems and tools, we are ensuring apprentices gain hands on experience that reflects real world environments and evolving industry requirements, strengthening both capability and confidence.
Looking ahead, I am focused on broadening our early careers pipeline to include career changers and those looking to specialise in HVAC. This will help diversify the talent pool, attract individuals with valuable transferable skills and support the long-term sustainability of the RACHP workforce.
My approach to innovation is practical and impact focused, ensuring improvements deliver measurable benefits for learners, employers and the wider industry.
Personal Impact and Inspiration
When I first entered the HVAC / RACHP sector, I was new to the industry and had to quickly learn its complexities, nuances and challenges. Navigating this landscape required curiosity, persistence and a willingness to listen and adapt, which has shaped the way I support others today. I am deeply committed to what I do; my dedication to apprentices, the sector and addressing the skills gap drives me to go the extra mile, often working late into the evening to ensure programmes are meaningful and of the highest standard.
By modelling passion, professionalism and accountability, I aim to inspire managers and apprentices to invest fully in their own growth and in the success of the sector. My contribution matters because it strengthens workforce capability, elevates standards and demonstrates that apprenticeships can be truly impactful career pathways.
Testimonials
I am delighted to share my appreciation of Adele’s outstanding leadership and innovative approach in guiding the apprenticeship program. Her positivity and upbeat demeanour have been most welcome and inspiring, ultimately being a critical factor in driving this program forwards in an inclusive manner, fostering networks throughout our business. Her dedication to fostering talent and encouraging fresh ideas has truly made a lasting impact. With inspiring vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she has been pivotal in creating a culture and structure to empower apprentices to thrive and achieve literally award-winning results.
Alan Payton, Director of Service Operations Carrier UK&I
Adele consistently empowers apprentices with the confidence, structure, and practical guidance needed to achieve both educational and professional goals. Through a calm, consistent, and highly supportive approach, Adele helps individuals navigate the transition from learning into working life, ensuring challenges are met with reassurance and clear direction. By working closely with business leaders, mentors, and depot teams, Adele creates a joined-up, structured programme that gives apprentices the strongest possible foundation for long-term success. Adele’s commitment goes beyond qualifications alone, instilling professionalism, resilience, and pride in the trade. This unwavering dedication has a lasting impact not only on apprentices, but on the wider business and industry. Adele is a credit to the organisation and the sector as a whole, demonstrating authentic leadership and a genuine passion for developing and inspiring the next generation.”
Craig Easton, Carrier Rentals South Regional Operations Manager
Entry ID: 10287
