NICEIC and ELECSA have launched an Academy to help female electricians for the next stage of its Jobs for the Girls initiative campaign.
The Academy is a series of four sessions held over 2013/14 providing technical, business and industry advice which aims to give females a helping hand into the electrical industry.
A group of 14 women attended the first session last week, which was led by NICEIC’s Tony Cable and Darren Staniforth and included a talk from the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) John Chamberlain.
Certsure CEO Emma Clancy, who was instrumental in launching the Jobs for the Girls initiative, said: “It was clear from the networking meetings we held last year that getting a foot in the industry and gaining experience is still a barrier for many women.
“So, in response we set up the Academy to provide some industry based learning to a group of women which we believe will enhance their skills and improve their career opportunities.
“Women are still severely underrepresented in the electrical industry and wider construction sector. By launching this Academy we want to address that imbalance and arm women with the skills to go out there and make a real mark in the industry.”
Session one of the Academy focussed on electrical principles and calculations, protective devices and safe isolation. Future sessions will look at surge protection, green technologies and certification of works.
Many of the attendees were just embarking on a career as an electrician or had just passed their level 3 qualification. However, the academy is open to anyone who feels they may benefit – including those already embarking on a career as an electrician.
Satsuki Harris, a trainee electrician with housing maintenance firm Lovells commented: “Having a point of contact with people like Tony, Darren and John is highly valuable for me as it gives me the confidence to ask for support on technical issues. This can only ever be a good thing for my career.”
The Jobs for the Girls campaign was set up in 2011 with the aim of encouraging more women in to the electrical industry. It has proved a huge success with Emma Clancy joining several female contractors on national TV and radio to discuss the matter. She also joined a group of women for a parliamentary reception at Westminster to present a case to members of parliament and last year the campaign was fronted by TV star Hilary Devey.