Why Women Should Consider Pursuing a Career in a Trade
The manual trades industries have been around for years and years, however, some of the most highly sought after tradespeople such as plumbers, electricians and building workers are in shortage in the UK. Part of the reason for this is the lack of women going into this field, with women currently representing only 6% of skilled trade workers in the UK. Manual trades provide a career with many benefits such as rewarding work, a good salary and work-life balance so it’s a huge shame that such few women choose to pursue a career in a skilled trade.
The team at KindWater have looked at the many benefits that different trade roles provide workers and why more women should consider pursuing a role in manual trades.
What Trade Roles Are Available to Me?
- Electrician (Average salary: £30,784)
- Plumber (Average salary: £29,799)
- Roofer (Average salary: £24,439)
- Bricklayer (Average salary: £25,201)
- Carpenter (Average salary: £26,416)
- Painter (Average salary: £24,039)
Photo by Ascel Kadhem on Unsplash
The Perks of Working in a Trade
You gain immediate industry experience
In a lot of industries, getting your foot in the door and gaining valuable experience is often one of the biggest challenges you’ll face, especially at the start. Luckily in most trade industries, it’s pretty easy to gain experience once you’ve had your training or received the qualifications you need. And because most skilled trades are in such high demand, it’s easy enough to get your foot in the door and start building experience right away.
You’ll earn a good salary
Earning a stable salary at the start of your career is rare, especially for university graduates. Many graduates even end up working for free whilst trying to gain experience in a new industry. This is one of the main benefits of working in a trade role, as from your starting salary is above the average and remains stable throughout your career. In the UK, tradespeople are earning, on average, £10,000 more than most graduate workers and since most skilled trades don’t require a degree, you won’t have all the student debt to pay off either.
Skilled trades workers are in high demand
Today’s job market is more competitive than ever and being able to get stable work is a challenge for many. Training in a skilled trade, however, pretty much guarantees you stable work throughout your career. There is currently a huge demand for trades workers and lots of employment opportunities for those trained in these skills.
Trade work requires practical skills that can’t be done by technology, so there will always be a demand for these roles in the future. Innovation company Nesta published a report revealing what the job market will look like in 2030, and trade careers, such as engineers, are amongst those most highly in demand – especially considering the rise of automation.
You can become your own boss
If you think you might one day want to own your own business, learning a trade could be a great way to do so. Over time and with experience, you’ll slowly become an expert in your industry and be well-equipped to manage a team of your own. Not only does being a business owner means that you get to manage your own schedule, but it’s also a great way to progress on the job ladder and make a higher than average salary. Owning your own business is also a great way to do things differently and make a positive change in your industry.
It doesn’t require a degree
Going to university is incredibly popular; 350,000 young people enrolled in university courses last year. However, university certainly isn’t the only option for school leavers and with the huge amount of debt it produces, it’s often not the best option for many people.
Pursuing a trade doesn’t require a degree and the skills required can often be gained through studying for a qualification or through an apprenticeship. Often, apprenticeships are paid too, which means you’ll be getting on the job ladder earlier than most and building up your savings.
Every day at work is different
When you’re practising a trade, no two days at work are the same. You get to work with a range of different clients and work on a range of new projects. You’ll meet lots of different people and learn new things all the time. It’s also a social environment to be in where you’ll be around lots of like-minded people and make friends for life.
Advice to Women Starting Out in a Trade
Stand your ground
Unfortunately, the disparity in the number of male to female workers in this industry has led to some reports of negative discrimination within the workplace. Don’t let this put you off however since this isn’t everyone’s experience and just something to be aware of. Stand your ground and remember the reasons why you chose to work in this industry. Remembering your goals will help you to stay focused if you ever face negativity from other people in your work.
Negotiating your starting salary
Women have a tendency to underestimate their professional value but remember that you deserve the same pay as everyone else at your level. When negotiating your starting salary, do some research beforehand so you know that what you’re asking for is reasonable. Also, remember to have a definite figure in your head that you want to ask for. Also, remember to enquire about benefits such as pension and bonuses as these are an important factor to consider within a salary.
Use it to your advantage
Being a woman in this male-dominated industry makes you stand out and sets you apart from the competition, so try to use this to your advantage. Your differences are what will make clients remember you and choose you over others.
Making connections
A big part of working in a trade is getting your name out there and establishing good connections. Keep this in mind early on in your career and never miss an opportunity to exchange numbers with a client and make a connection that could be used for future business.
Sources:
https://www.electriciancourses4u.co.uk/
https://www.simplybusiness.co.uk/
https://www.tradeskills4u.co.uk/
Author bio:
Katie Myers is an online content writer who creates online content on a range of topics including the environment, careers and home design to name a few. One of her clients KindWater, are water softener experts based in East Anglia. On their blog you will find a range of information all about water quality and the benefits of soft water.
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