With International Womens’ week on the 8th of March, there has been an increase of information promoting Women in trade industries. Sectors like electricians and plumbing have traditionally been categorised under as ‘man jobs’ but with more emphasis on trying to attract women to these positions, there has been a slight shift in mentality. However it is slow progress as currently less than 1% of electricians are female. Although it will take some time before the sector isn’t completely dominated by men, attempts to persuade women to have a career within the trade industry will help equal out the figures.
The NICEIC is voluntary regulatory body within the electrical contracting industry. Fulfilling this role for nearly 60 years, with more than 26,000 contractors registered with them; and sectors that cover plumbing, heating renewable and insulation sections of the industry, the NICEIC has a vast reach. The certification body has suggested that more needs to be done to make careers as electricians or plumbers look more open to both boys and girls at school level. Proper education about the industry will improve the chances of women pursuing a trade like electrician as opposed to the more typical hairdressing or childcare roles.
The Jobs for the Girls is a campaign created by the NICEIC to try and tempt girls towards the construction sector. The campaign runs from the belief that learning a trade is now akin to going to university. With the high price of University tuition fees and doubtless more increases to come, the appeal of apprenticeships is increasing. The prospect of being able to earn and more importantly gain valuable experience while studying makes more sense than paying the high cost of attending University, with no guarantee of gaining any relevant practical experience and no set job prospects at the end of it. With this change, it would be remiss for the construction industry to not reach out to as many people as possible to expand their workforce, which includes targeting girls, as they represent a previously untapped market of people to train.
