While more women have entered the skilled trades in the UK over the past number of years, they are still easily outnumbered by their male counterparts. Women account for just 10% of skilled trade occupations and have limited roles in manufacturing and construction. But there’s an opportunity for women to get involved in trades and construction supervisory roles for a highly rewarding career.
Significant Demand for Trades
There’s a shortage of skilled trade workers in the UK, according to the BBC. Demand for home improvements is high, with 80% of homeowners making improvements this year, but there just isn’t enough workers to fill those gaps. This shortage presents a unique advantage to women to take CITB training courses to learn those skills that are in demand.
If you have already completed these, look into a CITB refresher course to brush up on your skills.
Hands-on Learning
For women who prefer to learn on the job instead of in a lecture hall, trades provide an alternative to university. In an apprenticeship or college course, women can start their careers in a practical and hands-on learning environment. This is also a great way to avoid the massive student debt from going through a university path.
It’s highly recommended that women who prefer hands-on learning investigate the Construction NVQ Courses available to help them secure a Skilled Worker Card. Easybook Training offers Level 2 all the way to Level 7 construction NVQs.
Endless Possibilities
As a woman considering her options for what trade to enter, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Whether you’re interested in electrical, painting, bricklaying, plumbing, welding, or another aspect of construction, there’s a spot available to be filled by a woman. Look into the CITB courses available through Easybook Training and for more information on the number of courses available.
Many of these construction courses are available as traditional classroom based training or online instructor-led courses, offering a wide variety of choices for women who want the convenience of learning remotely.
Leadership Roles
There are plenty of highly paid leadership roles that need to be filled on job sites, and women can easily fill these positions with the right training. If you’re already working in construction and are interested in managing a site, the CITB SMSTS courses may be for you. The SMSTS training covers the risks of the job sites and the health and safety of the workers.
You could also look into the Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS training). These SSSTS courses give supervisors the training they require to oversee a job site. Already completed these courses? There are SMSTS refresher and SSSTS refresher courses available as well.
For more information on the CITB SMSTS training/courses available through Easybook Training to continue your education, contact the free national helpline seven days a week at 01892 543000.