New female ambassadors promote careers in industry

Published:  09 May, 2016

Training charity JTL has welcomed three additional young women to its Ambassador programme, which aims to raise awareness of the opportunities that exist for young women in the HVAC industry.

Hollie Heffer, Gina Mann and Sarah Dengate have joined the group of women from across England and Wales, all undertaking an apprenticeship or already working in the building services engineering sector, to talk to other young women about the pleasures and pitfalls of their chosen careers. 

“Women are enormously under-represented in the sector – for example, currently less than 1% of new electrical apprentices in the UK are women. But our experience demonstrates very clearly that young females can – and do – achieve great things in this industry,” said JTL’s Ambassador scheme manager, Yasmin Damree-Ralph. 

“Our aim is, quite simply, to educate young women about the career opportunities that exist for them in building services. The best way for girls currently at school or college to hear our message is via other young women, so back in 2013 we brought together a fantastic group of intelligent and enthusiastic advocates to help us spread the word. 

“They do a truly fantastic job – speaking in schools, relating their experiences, answering questions, offering advice and dispelling the odd myth or two! What better way for our message to be relayed?” 

All from Kent, Hollie and Gina are both plumbing and heating apprentices, while Sarah is an electrical apprentice. 

The JTL Ambassadors can be contacted via JTL’s website or on Facebook.