How The Electrical Industry Can Entice Females To The Industry
Posted by: electime 9th August 2024
According to recent research commissioned by Kingfisher, the company that owns Screwfix and B&Q, and in collaboration with economic consultancy Cebr, the UK may see a shortage of up to 250,000 tradespeople by 2030, with electricians likely to be in shorter supply than any other trade.
The deeper you get into the figures, the more concerning they become. By the end of the decade, it is estimated that there will be approximately 54,387 fewer electricians in the country than are required to meet demand, and the reasons behind this drastic shortfall appear to be deep-rooted within several areas of the country’s psyche.
Meanwhile, a different survey has revealed more than a third (37 per cent) of respondents believe that the government, schools, or parents discourage young people from pursuing careers in trades. On top of that, 61 per cent of parents believe that schools’ emphasis on academic rather than vocational career choices is discouraging kids from pursuing trade careers.
That might be a big issue for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the national attitude and approach are gradually becoming greener. Energy management systems, renewable energy sources like solar panels and solar water heaters, and energy-efficient lighting systems are increasingly popular house upgrades.
And the nation’s shift to greener energy and cheaper bills will continue to be postponed as long as no one is available to do the work. However, the study also showed that there might be a fairly simple solution to close this huge supply-and-demand discrepancy.
When it comes to professions in the various trades, there is a significant gender gap: just 35 per cent of young women said they had thought about a future in the trades compared to 60 per cent of young males.
In addition to that alarming statistic, only 2 per cent of the UK’s 900,000 tradespeople are women at this moment in time, but if the number of female tradespeople increased to just one-third of the current number of men, it would solve the UK’s projected 2030 tradesperson shortage.
Russell Brazier, electrical pipe expert and owner of Transam Extrusions, believes that much more can be done to entice women into the electrical trade industry, though, and make it more inclusive and attractive to female workers.
“Education is key to changing engrained mindsets, so targeted outreach and education programmes could be key to getting more women into trades.
“This would include targeting girls in schools and colleges with workshops, career talks, and hands-on demonstrations to spark interest at a young age, as well as partnering with organisations that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for girls. From my experience, encouraging participation in STEM subjects can help break down stereotypes and show that careers in the electrical industry are viable and rewarding for women.”
Another approach that Russell believes would help the electrical industry is mentoring and establishing support networks: “I would establish mentorship programmes where experienced female electricians can guide and support newcomers and also create support networks and forums for women in the industry to share experiences and provide mutual support.”
That isn’t all, though. Russell also states that inclusive workplace policies and promotional campaigns, along with some visible role models, would help break down the barriers women currently face when it comes to working in a trade.
“It’s about time the trade industry got with the times and implemented family-friendly policies, such as flexible working hours, parental leave, and childcare support to make it more appealing and practical for women. Alongside that, diversity and inclusion training would also go a long way toward making the industry more attractive to people from all backgrounds.
“There’s a saying that you can only be what you can see, so by highlighting and celebrating the achievements of women in the electrical industry through promotional campaigns, we could inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps and make female electricians commonplace in the industry.”