Like Being a Female Electrician
There is a perception that the electrical trades are a man’s world. Whether it’s due to stereotypes or the fact that men are more likely to take up these types of jobs, it means there are far fewer women on the job sites than there should be. But the good news is that things are changing. We have seen a significant increase in the number of young women starting apprenticeships on construction and engineering sites over the last few years. This is a great sign, but it still needs to change further.
We need to show young girls and women that people like them are working as electricians, so it becomes a normal and accepted career choice. And one way to do this is through social media. That’s why I spoke to Amy, an electrician who is active on YouTube and Instagram. She’s a great example of how someone can make a big difference in the industry just by being who they are.
When Amy first started her career, she was the only female electricians apprentice on site and she says it took some time to get used to it. But she didn’t let this put her off and just carried on. Now, she is an electrical general foreman and has worked on a range of projects including Swedish Hospital and the University of Washington Bothell campus. She loves being able to work with her hands and enjoys the variety of projects that she gets sent out on.
What is it Like Being a Female Electrician?
She has also noticed that her coworkers have adapted as well. While there are still the occasional old-timers who give her a hard time, overall she has found that other electricians treat her just the same as anyone else. In fact, she has found that some of them even treat her better than they do other employees because they realise that she is just as competent and hardworking as they are.
Amy has even started her own YouTube channel where she shares her journey through her career as an electrician. She wants to inspire other women and show them that it is possible to do a hands-on job in a male dominated industry. And it can be a really rewarding career too.
The electrical industry is a predominantly male field, with around 96% of workers being men. Bringing in more women would be a huge benefit to everyone. It would mean more jobs, more qualified people and a workplace that embraces the skills of all people. This is a great career to consider, regardless of gender, so it’s worth looking into the training and getting started. It could be the best thing you do for your career.