WOMEN HEATING AND GAS ENGINEERS
If you have been thinking of making a change to your career but aren’t sure what to go for, gas engineering might be just the thing. It’s a role that offers excellent prospects, good pay and plenty of opportunities to progress in the industry once you are fully qualified. What’s more, women are perfectly capable of thriving in this trade – in fact, it’s an industry crying out for new recruits.
But, despite the need for skilled and experienced engineers in this country, only around 5% of them are women. The reason for this is a complex one, and it could have something to do with the perception that trade roles are ‘man’s jobs’. While this may help to attract men, it acts as a deterrent for many women who are keen to blaze a trail in a male dominated industry.
Another problem that might have a hand in this is that women are often under-represented at school level, with fewer females taking STEM subjects at GCSE and A-level. As a result, there are fewer women going into science and technology-focused careers, including female heating and gas engineers. And finally, once a person is qualified as an engineer, they need to be on the Gas Safe Register in order to work on gas appliances, which requires further training.
WHY AREN’T MORE WOMEN HEATING AND GAS ENGINEERS?
These are all barriers that prevent women from picking up this role. But, it’s not impossible to overcome if you have the right mindset and motivation. You will need to be able to pass the necessary qualifications, which means studying hard and being prepared to put in the effort. You’ll also need to be a creative thinker and have excellent communication skills so that you can provide the best customer service possible.
There is no doubt that being a heating and gas engineer isn’t an easy job, but it can be rewarding. It’s a very varied career, with plenty of time spent out and about visiting homes and businesses, so it suits people who like to meet new people on a daily basis. Plus, as an employee of a company, you’ll be able to choose your own hours, which makes it ideal for those who want to balance their work life with their home life.
Female heating and gas engineers are breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry, reshaping perceptions and proving that gender should not be a limiting factor in pursuing a career in technical fields. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of women entering the heating and gas engineering profession, challenging stereotypes and contributing to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
There is a lot that both employers and potential employees can do to encourage more women to take up this position. For starters, it’s important to make sure that girls are given equal encouragement at school level when it comes to STEM subjects. In addition, it’s a good idea to support those who already work within the industry. Female engineers often speak of how sexism has impacted their work, but they are able to overcome this by having a strong support network.
