Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a young female learning a trade in the traditionally male dominated world of electricians?
Well now you can thanks to the latest blog from 21-year-old trainee Ruby Mitchell.
The Bristol based youngster recently started an 8-week training programme with DCET Bristol Training in partnership with Jeff Way Electrical Services, which will precede an apprenticeship.
She is hoping to go on and forge a career as an electrician and is charting her progress through a new blog.
“I completed my level 2 and level 3 training at college a few years ago but was never sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” said Ruby.
“After a few years doing different things I decided I wanted to crack on with becoming an electrician and was over the moon when this opportunity came up.”
Ruby is being supported along her way by NICEIC, the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry. She contacted NICEIC after being made aware of its Jobs for the Girls campaign which actively encourages women to become electricians and explore the opportunities that exist within the industry.
“I applied to NICEIC for some help with funding and was delighted when they said they could help,” she added.
“It really makes a difference when you are just starting out, as I had to stop my full-time job to start training, and the traineeship is unpaid.”
When NICEIC set up its Jobs For The Girls campaign back in 2011 the electrical sector was severely under represented by women. Estimates at the time suggested less than one in every thousand electricians was female.
Four years on NICEIC believe more and more women are now choosing to take up a career as an electrician, but that certain obstacles do still exist.
“Finding the right support to get the necessary qualifications and training is still a massive barrier for many women,” commented NICEIC CEO Emma Clancy.
“We wanted to put in place a mechanism to help them overcome this hurdle and we are delighted to be supporting Ruby as she takes her first steps in the industry.
“We will be providing additional support along the way and hope she goes on to enjoy a successful career as an electrician.
“It has been great following her progress via her blog and I am sure it will inspire other young women who might be considering a career as an electrician”
You can follow Ruby’s progress at www.rubymitchellelectrician.blogspot.co.uk
For more information about NICEIC’s Jobs For The Girls campaign visit www.jobsforthegirls.com
