Given the woeful lack of women opting for an apprenticeship in the building services engineering trades, the move to boost the numbers of female entrants in the South Yorkshire area must be applauded.

Less than 1% of youngsters starting out on an electrical apprenticeship each year are females. This shocking statistic shows that many, many more initiatives like the Breaking the Mould project are needed if the status quo is ever to be changed.

All the evidence suggests that a diverse workforce is good for business. In the domestic market, for example, many clients would prefer to have a woman come into their home.

The interest is there. The Equal Opportunities Commission reports that 80% of girls in schools said they might be interested in a non-traditional job such as construction. The fact that so few eventually end up in the building services sector suggests that something is awry.

School is the place to break down barriers, so it's good news that the government is looking to introduce engineering and construction diplomas for 14-19 year olds (page 11). Perhaps, we may yet see a more diverse workforce on site in the future.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor