Contractor
Jobs for the Girls

As research released today reveals that many women would think twice before calling in a male electrician to carry out essential work with some finding the experience daunting, a new Apprentice Academy has been launched to encourage and inspire more women into a traditionally male dominated industry.

According to a survey of 3,000 women by NICEIC nearly half (47%) of female homeowners admit to feeling intimidated when having to deal with a male sparky while 11% confess that they’ll only have a man around if they’re not alone.

In addition to this there is a huge leaning towards women looking to take on a trade over a profession.  In the current climate 63% of 16-24 year old women polled said they are more interested in learning a skilled trade rather than a profession, because a trade stays with them for life.

In answer to this, NICEIC is launching an initiative to recruit and inspire more female contractors into the industry and has introduced its Apprentice Academy, with a view to plugging the skills gap in the industry. When asked which trade women would most like to learn, the results were as follows:

1. electrician (35%)
2. carpenter (21%)
3. plumber (20%)
4. builder (10%)
5. farrier (6%)

The least popular choice was a bricky, getting just one per cent of the votes.

Highlighting the demand for more female electricians to be available the survey also showed that half (50%) would feel more comfortable if faced with a female contractor and a third (31%) divulged they’re more likely to trust a lady electrician’s opinion over a man’s.  More than a quarter (26%) said it would make a refreshing change to see a woman in charge of the tools.  

Emma McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Ascertiva Group parent company of the NICEIC, comments: “We are one hundred per cent committed to attracting high calibre graduates, in order to build a real future for the electrical contracting industry. Our survey clearly shows that there is a real need to encourage more women to take up the mantle and that there is a very real interest from young women wanting to pursue this type of career.  We hope that by launching this campaign in-line with our Apprentice Academy, more ladies will come forward and help to even the balance in what is currently a male dominated industry.”

In late January, Emma McCarthy and the Elecchicks took part in a radio day, promoting women in the electrical industry, click below for a look behind the scenes and to hear two of the interviews:

BBC Cumbria
Colourful Radio

See below for women who took the plunge and became electricians:

Case Study - Elecchicks

Case Study - Eleanor Bell