As we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), NICEIC, the UK’s leading name for registered electricians, is encouraging more women to consider a career within the electrical industry.
The theme for IWD 2023 is #EmbraceEquity and aims to get the world talking about how equal opportunities are no longer enough if we are to provide everyone, no matter their circumstances, with the opportunities to reach an equal outcome.
With only 16.3% female engineers in the industry, we caught up with two NICEIC area assessors and discussed the challenges they have faced to gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be a woman in this sector.
Joining the industry after a career change, Lisa comments on her journey so far: “I was on the lookout for a career that challenged me and upped my skillset. My friend told me that he was training to become an electrician. After some self-doubt, thinking women do not tend to go for that sort of career, I was encouraged to go for it. It ended up being the best advice I ever followed.
“Now here I am, years later, with a Student of the Year Award tucked under my belt, alongside a whole host of inspection and installation experience that led me to my role now assessing other contractors.”
Louise, however, always had her eye on becoming an electrician after completing work experience that led to a four-year electrical apprenticeship with a NICEIC approved contractor.
Louise explained: “I’ve always enjoyed the technical aspect of the job as I see myself as a hands-on type of person. I was never really suited to sitting in an office all day. In this role, no two days are the same as I take on a wide variety of work which has given me a wealth of experience in the industry.
When asked about the barriers to women entering the industry, Lisa adds: “I do think women are nervous to enter such a male-dominated environment. Sometimes as women, we feel as though we aren’t physically built for this type of work; but there are always ways to work around this, such as having the correct tools or working as a team when it comes to heavier work.”
Louise continues: “The industry can seem intimidatingbut times are changing; and I only saw that as more motivation to rise through the ranks. Before I knew it, I was in an electrical management role.”
NICEIC is committed to encouraging more women to join the electrical sector and challenging the perception that the industry is traditionally for men. Although there has been a recent rise in women realising the benefits of a hands-on career, such as an engineer, there is always more room to break down gender barriers.
Lisa says: “NIECIC is all about creating a working culture that encourages inclusivity and celebrates people’s individuality whilst treating everyone in the same, fair manner.”
Louise adds: “Throughout my career, I have always regarded NICEIC as the leading electrical body that promotes electrical safety and uphold standards. I have been with NICEIC for seven years and I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.
“As an employer, the company is very supportive and encourages individual ambitions and always looks to drive standards. Attitudes have changed considerably across the sector since I began my apprenticeship. These days, all that matters is your ability to do the job – as it should be.”
International Women’s Day allows businesses to welcome and celebrate the achievements of women, especially in what is still seen as a male-oriented trade world. The electrical industry is calling to be more inclusive and appealing to women so that the younger generation of females can see it as a viable, exciting career option from the very beginning.
With renewable energy sources on the rise, electrical contractors are at the forefront of helping the UK to achieve net zero by 2050. The sector is crying out for highly motivated electricians; and with the introduction of so many new technologies, it’s an exciting time to get involved.
The history of International Women’s Day is a story of women who would not settle for the status quo (writes TUC’s ESTHER LYNCH). It’s a story of women workers protesting against unfair working conditions. Of women who demanded a voice when they had something to say. Of women who came together and collectively demanded civil, social and political rights.
It’s not a story from the past – it is a story that transcends time. Still today, there are countless things that women will not settle for.
Across Europe, women have suffered disproportionately from economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as women were overrepresented on the frontline of the Covid crisis, women are now being hit hardest by the cost-of-living crisis because of the ongoing undervaluation of their work, part-time work due to unequal distribution of caring responsibilities, the gender pay gap and in consequence, the gender pension gap.
According to EUROFOUND research from last November, almost half of single mothers (44%) and 31% of single women anticipated difficulties affording energy costs over the next three months. That compares to 26% of single men.
The struggle for equal pay and equal pay for work of equal value remains a high priority for the trade union movement. Women workers must enjoy the pay, conditions, and status they deserve. The legacy of Covid-19 must be the enforcement of equal pay for work of equal, of a collectively achieved re-evaluation of work predominantly done by women, of a collective correction of the term “low-skilled” workers.
In terms of tackling the undervaluation of women’s paid and unpaid work, as a baseline, more support for trade unions is needed. At EU level, a step in the right direction was recently made very with the Pay Transparency Directive.
It is thanks to the demands voiced by women workers across Europe that the Directive will contribute to coming closer to enforcing equal pay for work of equal value and to make sure that no women worker has to stand up alone against an employer when claiming her right to transparent information on her pay.
The Directive also secured a safeguard of trade unions’ prerogatives to bargain on measures for equal pay – a provision that was met with unfounded, yet fierce resistance.
Another building block to achieve gender equality in society and the world of work is the eradication of gender-based violence. Again, trade unions have proven all along that workplaces are safer when workers are represented by trade unions and employers negotiate with trade unions.
This applies to support for victims and survivors of sexual harassment, domestic violence or third-party violence. The trade union movement has also a role to play in the digital sphere – an arena that is conducive to escalating existing forms of gender-based violence, while producing new forms of cyber violence and cyber harassment that target women in particular and marginalised groups.
As online screening and networking become more important in the labour market, a growing number of women are having their careers wrecked due to cyber violence like revenge sharing of intimate pictures. The trade union movement must be at the forefront to make sure victims of cyber violence and cyber harassment are not discriminated against by an employer.
Employers must live up to their responsibilities when it comes to making the world of work safe for all women workers.
This is why on International Women’s Day, the ETUC will gather, in the tradition that marks International Women’s Day, to demand our voice be heard and to highlight women workers’ right to travel safely to and from work.
This will be our contribution to the stories that are International Women’s Day – stories that share one imperative: Women coming together and demanding change – for the many, in all their diversity, not for the few.
For International Women’s Day (March 8th), we’ve surveyed a range of tradeswomen to find out what life is really like as a female in the trades industry:
What is it really like working as a tradeswoman in the UK?
This is one of the many questions that we got the answers to in our survey of female trades workers to help us better understand exactly what tradeswomen experience on a daily basis.
To help us gain some insight, we put together a survey of 20 tradeswomen aged between 16 and 60 who shared the revealing truths about working in the trade industry.
Gender Pay Gap
On average, tradeswomen earn over 38% less than men.
Despite the progression over the years for women in the workplace, there is still a 7,9% overall pay gap between men and women working in the UK. This gap is even more significant in the trades industry, with 42% of our surveyed tradeswomen stating that there is a significant difference between the pay for men and women.
Many of the participants were unsure of the pay gap, since salary discussions between colleagues is seen as a taboo subject. Three of the women surveyed are plumbers and heating engineers with salaries starting at £22,000. This is over £13,000 less than the average tradesman salary of £35,979.
Out of these three women, there was one outlier who earns £35,000 per year after working in the trades industry for over 11 years. This showcases a slight growth of equality in the trades sector.
Discrimination In The Workplace
Over 57% of tradeswomen experienced workplace discrimination.
Unfortunately, it’s still not uncommon for women to experience discrimination in the workplace when it comes to working in the trades industry. Often times, women feel like they are looked down on and won’t be given equal job roles as the male employees.
“Upon searching to work for other landscaping companies I was looked down on, was told that I would have to bear in mind that I would be using the same toilet as the men and that I would start on a lower wage as I wouldn’t be doing the main parts of the job, I would just be helping and making drinks!” – Angela, 22, Landscaper
When it comes to working in a male-dominated industry, many females feel objectified or sexualised in the workplace. Alternatively, they may be insulted for choosing to take on a role that has always been completed predominantly by men.
“If you work on a site as a woman, they see you as either too blokey/ fat/ other to be the object of their sexual interest, so get harassed for something else instead; or you’re young, fit and hot and suddenly you’re just the focus of their testosterone. That kind of behaviour would be incredibly intimidating for a lot of people, even if it is all banter and them being “guys”, it’s not a welcoming feeling.” – Debbie, 36, Conservation Specialist
Sexist Customers
More than 68.4% of tradeswomen were subjected to sexist remarks from customers and clients.
Since trades jobs have always been completed by mostly men, some customers feel like they can’t trust women to complete the work well, despite having the same training and qualifications as the men doing the same work.
“Customers have asked me to leave as I’m female. Some have called back in to have my work ‘checked’ and others have made sexual comments against me.” – Rachael, 38, Gas Engineer
Some women can feel ignored on the job, as customers will direct their questions towards the male employees.
“I work alongside my husband, both doing the same job and it’s not unusual for customers to direct questions at my husband rather than me. Many don’t believe that I am just as qualified as my husband.” – Jackie, 38, Vehicle Body Repairer
Why Are There Fewer Women in the Trades Industry?
Only around 13% of the trades industry workers are women.
Here’s what our surveyed tradeswomen had to say:
Limited Education
Some women feel like there hasn’t been much progression in the way jobs are advertised. Despite more trades employers actively reaching out the women for their open jobs, some jobs are still primarily targeted towards men.
The same goes when it comes to learning about jobs in school. However, schools are now more openly encouraging people to take on any job role, regardless of the previous stereotypes. There has been a huge change in the way children are being taught about work.
“Schools, historically have promoted the learning of manual trades to boys, girls tend to have been pushed into gender stereotyped roles such as cooking and textiles.” – Abigail, 32, Bench Joiner
Physical Ability
Women are often just as capable as men at completing heavy labour work. However, many people still don’t see this and believe that labour intensive work should be left to the men.
“Women have always been looked at as “the weaker sex” and being on a site or turning up to a job a man “should” be doing is difficult when you’re judged with comments like, surely you should be on reception etc.” – Sophie, 30, Drainage Engineer
Unsuitable Equipment
Since the trades industry has always been dominated by men, the equipment is often tailored to suit men. However, with the increase in female tradespeople, we are seeing more and more manufacturers creating a whole new range of equipment to help women in trades. However, there is still an issue with this as it is often much more difficult to source equipment that is tailored to women in this field.
“More equipment/tools suitable for women would make life easier, I’m 5ft 1 and can never find protective boots etc, would prefer it if plaster came in 20kg bags instead of 25kg!! Things like that make trades discouraging.” – Karoline, 38, Plasterer
Lack of Support
Many women feel like employers should be more open to supporting them in their job roles. This would help to make women feel less discriminated against for their gender but will also result in a much more harmonious workplace.
“I’ve had three women start with me. None of them drive, but they all need to be back for 3pm to get their kids from school and can’t start until 8.45. I think generally the way that the construction industry is arranged means that it’s almost impossible for anyone who isn’t an unencumbered, able bodied male to be in the right set of circumstances to get a chance.” – Debbie, 36, Conservation Specialist
How Can More Women Be Encouraged to Take Up a Trade?
There has been an increase over recent years in trades employers encouraging women to join their teams.
Here’s what our surveyed tradeswomen thought about this question:
Financial Support
Many women believe that there should be more support when it comes to maternity and childcare. If employers offered more support in these areas, more women may be likely to want to take up work in the trades industry.
“Better pay for maternity and childcare.” – Karoline, 38, Plasterer
Better Education
Some of the women surveyed thought that education may play a part in encouraging more women to take up work in the trades industry.
“Offer more courses in colleges and maybe free courses for older women.” – Jennifer, 43, Builder
More Representation
Representation is something that has progressed significantly over the years to help make the trades industry more appealing the women. By showing more women in advertisements, trades employers are promoting a much more diverse workplace. Previously, most advertisements and promotions for trades work showed just men. However, women are being included much more than they were before. There is still a way to go, though, to make it more equal.
“Advertising , photos of women in construction in advertising and books. Women in construction should also speak in schools about their career.” – Renee, 49, Building Surveyor
Lack of Support
Women often feel like there is a lack of support in this industry for women. To encourage a more diverse workplace, it’s important for employers to offer support to everyone.
“I think generally the way that the construction industry is arranged means that it’s almost impossible for anyone who isn’t an unencumbered, able bodied male to be in the right set of circumstances to get a chance.” – Debbie, 36, Conservation Specialist
The Modern Progression of Female Tradespeople
According to new research by the Chartered Institute of Building, 3 in 5 UK residents would hire a female tradesperson. Around one third of the people surveyed said they would prefer to hire a female tradesperson.
Helping to support the women in trades was the most popular reason for wanting to hire a female tradesperson. Some of those surveyed said that they would feel more at ease by having a woman carry out the work in their home.
This is very encouraging to hear and one of the many reasons why females should consider taking up work in the trades industry. This is also something that trades employers should be more aware of. Since many people would prefer a female tradesperson, employers should be making extra efforts to reach out to females when conducting their new employee searches.
In order to attract more women in the trades industry, it’s important to fight discrimination on the worksite and avoid previous stereotypes that can often divide job roles according to genders. Fortunately, this is something that most employers in the trades industry are actively doing.
The progression can be seen in the number of female tradespeople in the UK. In the past 5 years, there has been an increase of almost 400% in the number of young females taking on apprenticeships in engineering and construction.
“While it is true that the data for January 2023 show improvements when compared with December 2022, December was the worst month on record. We are relieved that we have mitigated against a repetition of December, but we remain extremely concerned about our patients and their safety, and for the welfare of staff who are struggling.
“January saw continued high numbers of extremely long waits; the third highest number of 12-hour waits on record. While the weekly data from February also show that we cannot let up in our requirement for substantial improvement.
“As the Scottish leadership election begins, tackling the crisis in Emergency Care as well as the crisis in the wider health and social care system must be a priority for the next First Minister. In 2022, a total of 55,095 patients waited 12-hours or more in an Emergency Department in Scotland.
“Analysis by the College shows that consequently, in 2022, there were an estimated 765 patient deaths associated with these dangerously long waiting times – equal to an estimated average of 64 each month. This is entirely unacceptable and a marker of a system that is not functioning as it should.
“To tackle this, in Scotland we urgently need a restoration of the acute bed base, that means opening an additional 1,000 staffed acute beds where safely possible.
“There are also significant shortfalls of staff in Scotland. The Emergency Medicine workforce needs at least 100 more consultants, as well as senior decision makers, ACPs/ANPs/Physician Associates, junior doctors, and vital nurses.
“We welcomed the expansion of Emergency Medicine medical training places in Scotland by 10, but this expansion is considerably short of what is required and there has yet to be any commitment to maintain this each year.
“This winter continues to be the most challenging yet for the NHS in Scotland. A failure for meaningful action now will prolong the risk to patient safety and maintain these dangerously long waiting times at the detriment to staff who are already burned out and exhausted. 2023 must be the year that we see political will translated into action that improves patient care and conditions for staff.”
A 23-year-old man has pleaded guilty to two counts of armed robbery at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Around 1am on Monday, 9 August, 2021, police were informed an armed robbery had taken place at a casino in Dundee Street, Edinburgh
Hassan Fallah was seen loitering in the underground car park of the premises at Fountainpark before he approached a member of staff and threatened them with a knife. He then forced them to take him into the casino. Once inside Fallah threatened a further two staff members at the cash desk before making off with a five-figure sum of money.
Following enquiries, Fallah was arrested by officers on 12 August 2021.
He pleaded guilty yesterday and has been sentenced to more than four years imprisonment.
Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “It’s right that Fallah is behind bars for this disturbing and violent robbery.
“I know his actions impacted directly on several members of staff who may not have been physically injured but were left extremely distressed by what had happened. Despite this, they greatly assisted our investigation and I would like to thank them for their help as I know this was challenging for them. I hope that knowing Fallah is behind bars will offer them some satisfaction as they move forward in their lives”
An innovative project to provide much-needed support to Long Covid patients has been extended to Midlothian.
Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland has worked with NHS Lothian, Pogo Digital Healthcare, patients and GPs to develop the individualised and easy-to-use Long Covid Pathway.
The pathway was piloted in Edinburgh in 2022, involving 36 GP practices and 173 patients, with plans to roll out across Edinburgh and the Lothians by the end of 2023.
GPs can refer patients directly into the pathway, which provides people with bespoke digital advice and also connects them to a CHSS nurse-led helpline and peer support.
The digital aspect of the service, the award-winning ‘MyTailoredTalks’, helps people manage their condition day-to-day while providing feedback to their GP to help with ongoing care.
Jane-Claire Judson, Chief Executive of Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland, commented: “In Scotland, 94,000 people have been living with Long Covid for over a year. We know that people living with the condition feel scared, abandoned and left behind.
“Our Long Covid Support Pathway allows us to better support people living with the condition in Edinburgh and Lothian. Its success means we hope to see it rolled out across the country, helping more people with Long Covid to live their lives to the full.”
Professor Tim Walsh, Director of Innovation for NHS Lothian, said: “It’s been really important for us to bring together expertise from a range of organisations to better improve the support available for people with Long Covid.
“We know living with this can be really challenging and patients with Long Covid need support that can be individualised and available on demand, and we’re proud to have worked with our partners to have developed such support in Lothian.”
The Midlothian Health & Social Care Partnership Long Covid Project Team has welcomed the roll-out.. A spokesperson commented: “During the pilot phase, this pathway empowered people to make a successful transition after diagnosis towards self-management of Long Covid through effective and targeted self-management resources.
“GP practitioners in Midlothian are looking forward to utilising the pathway, which will remove travel barriers while still providing person-centered support and reducing demand on services. The combination of written, video and telephone support will provide people in Midlothian access to the most appropriate support for them.
“Importantly, support and self-management resources provided by MyTailoredTalks and CHSS are fed back to the referring GP without them needing to seek out this information. The pathway will enable people in Midlothian living with Long Covid to self-manage their symptoms and access up-to-date and validated information relevant to their needs.”
None of this would have been possible without NHS Lothian Charity, which has invested £120,000 in the platform so far.
Jane Ferguson, Director of NHS Lothian Charity, said: “As the official charity of NHS Lothian, we have a key role to play in supporting NHS Lothian to take forward innovative projects that help improve the health and wellbeing of communities.
“Thanks to generous donations to our COVID-19 appeal, we were able to provide initial funding for ‘MyTailoredTalks’ and are delighted to see this now being extended to Midlothian.
“This has been a great example of partners coming together from across the sector to put in place innovative solutions that support our communities dealing with the effects of Long Covid.”
Pogo Studio designed MyTailoredTalks, which recently won the Technology Enabled Independent Living Award at the Digital Health and Care Awards 2023.
Jack Francis, Managing Director of Pogo Studio, said: “This has been a fantastic, collaborative partnership to bring our expertise in technology to, and we have learnt hugely from working with NHS Lothian, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and people living with Long Covid.
“Long Covid continues to be a huge issue across Scotland and so we’re delighted that our work so far is demonstrating that MyTailoredTalks can help to support people in their recovery.”
Matthew Knowles, a running enthusiast from Edinburgh University, saw off tough competition at the weekend to win the men’s U20 Scottish Athletics National Cross-Country Championships.
Knowles, 19 who also works part-time at the specialist running shop, Up & Running is no stranger to gruelling races, having previously represented England and GB at a number of under 20 mountain running events.
Matthew also helps to lead a free weekly social run group from Up & Running, aimed at encouraging local runners of all abilities.
Two pupils from a high school in Cumbernauld will address over 350 women in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament tomorrow (Saturday 4 March) as part of this year’s International Women’s Day event.
Zara De Almeida and Grace Lennon both in S5 at Our Lady’s High School, Cumbernauld, will address this year’s theme of breaking the bias, at the event which is held jointly with the Scottish Women’s Convention.
The First Minister the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP will also address the Chamber, along with comedian Susan Morrison and academic Dr Radhika Govinda.
The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, speaking ahead of the event said: “The Scottish Parliament has celebrated International Women’s Day with this event for over 15 years, inviting women from across Scotland to address collectively the challenges they face.”
Agnes Tolmie, Chair of the Scottish Women’s Convention said: “Women make up more than 50% of the Scottish population and we have still not achieved equality.
“However, when we look at the wonderful work done by women in Scotland we have every reason to celebrate. We are looking forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which showcase Scotland’s achievements in working for a fairer society.”
Women from across Scotland will join the event at the Parliament, including 60 high school pupils from S4 to S6 from Our Ladies High School, Cumbernauld; Drumchapel High School; Govan High School; St Ninian’s High School, Kirkintilloch; University of Edinburgh’s Women in Politics society; and members of the Digital Dairy Chain from the University of Strathclyde.
The event will be broadcast by the Scottish Parliament and will begin at 2.00pm on Saturday 4 March.
Scottish members of a grassroots ‘community rail’ movement are joining forces to support a shift to greener, healthier, fairer transport, and encouraging people to ditch the car for one in five journeys when they can.
The country’s network of community rail partnerships, supported by Community Rail Network and Paths for All, used the 2023 Rail Scotland Conference to launch their ‘Let’s go for 1 in 5’ campaign, in support of Transport Scotland’s commitment to cutting car use by 20% by 2030. They used the conference to explore how the rail industry can play a key role, working with communities, to support more sustainable journeys that work for everyone and protect our climate.
From the Borders to the Highlands, Scotland’s community rail partnerships engage communities with their local railways and stations, enabling and encouraging more people to get around sustainably by train. Since the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow, they have been raising awareness of how green rail is compared to driving (see statistics below), and working with communities and rail partners to make it easier to use the train combined with walking, wheeling and cycling, buses and community transport.
Transport is the largest contributor to climate emissions in Scotland. In response to the climate emergency, Transport Scotland has committed to reducing emissions by 75% by 2030, and net-zero by 2045. Rail accounted for just 1% of UK domestic transport emissions in 2019, despite representing 7% of the total distance travelled, and for a 30-mile journey, travelling by train instead of by car can reduce emissions by up to 86%.
Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend told the conference how community rail, and the new campaign, contributes to Scotland’s vision of a sustainable, inclusive, safe and accessible transport system. This allied to some of the major themes of the event – which also featured an address from Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth MSP – such as modal shift from road to rail and the rail network’s net-zero targets.
Ms Townsend said: “Cutting car use by 20% is crucial to tackling the climate emergency, and it can unleash great benefits for communities and families too, by improving health and wellbeing, addressing the cost of living, and making our streets and communities safer, nicer places.
“But we know it’s not so simple as ‘persuading’ people to ditch the car: as well as raising awareness we need to break down barriers and widen access to public and community transport, combined with walking, wheeling and cycling.
“Community rail and other locally-led initiatives have a vital part to play. We’re all about helping communities to feel confident and positive about rail and sustainable travel, addressing issues and worries people might have, and helping communities to have a voice and shape a green and inclusive transport future.
“We’re encouraging communities across Scotland to get involved, and for drivers to consider how they can help Scotland make the ‘1 in 5’ switch, to more climate-safe and community-friendly journeys.”
Community rail works across Britain to develop the place of railways and stations at the heart of local communities, and help communities get maximum benefit from rail. This growing, thriving grassroots movement, brought together under Community Rail Network, is made up of 76 community rail partnerships and 1,200+ station friends’ groups and other local groups.
The partnerships are supported by Community Rail Network and the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme, funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Paths for All. This support helps to develop projects and deliver work promoting sustainable journeys with rail at their heart.
Graham McQueen, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places manager, said:“Paths for All’s Smarter Choices Smarter Places Open Fund is about supporting local and community-based transport solutions to the climate crisis.
“We want to see more people walking, cycling and using more sustainable forms of transport for their everyday journeys. Projects like this that encourage people to get out of their cars and travel more sustainably are fantastic examples of how grassroots community organisations can lead on the changes we need to make happen”.
