With job market uncertainty and figures which reveal that more than 1.1 million women alone have become unemployed since the beginning of the recession, it’s no surprise that skilled trades are becoming more popular.
Studies are revealing that the answer to the recession is for people to learn skilled trades. This combined with many women reporting feeling undervalued by their male colleagues, means that many are looking for change.
NICEIC’s research reports that women are still disadvantaged in the workplace with nearly 45% claiming that they are treated differently to men in the same position and more than half of those surveyed said that this inequality has become worse since the beginning of the recession.
However, interesting and positive research did reveal that 63% of 16-24 year old women are far more interested in learning skilled trades than professional careers, with a great percentage of these reporting that the electrical industry is one which interests them greatly.
NICEIC have had their ‘Jobs for the Girls’ campaign running for a while now and with the support of Hillary Devey, from Dragon’s Den, the campaign is set to continue at a rapid pace.
The campaign aims to bring down the myth that the electrical industry is purely for men and is working to encourage more women into the world of electrical contracting.
Hillary Devey, reported that the cause is close to her heart. Having broken through and made a success in a male dominated industry herself, she feels that it is one worth backing and says she is living proof that any woman can break stereotypes and be successful in traditional male working environments.
Written by Sara Thomson
