A FEMALE trades influencer from Flintshire has shared her experiences of working in domestic trades, after a leading report revealed 85% of the industry is occupied by men.

Plumbing, heating and gas engineer Rachel Griffiths, from Connah's Quay, has stacked up thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram (@plumbingbyrach) through sharing her experiences of working in a domestic trade.

However, after the 2023 UK Trade Skills Index revealed nine out of 10 trades apprenticeship are occupied by young men, and males make up the majority of the workforce, Rachel is sharing her experience of being a woman in trades – and how gender bias and a lack of awareness in schools could be alienating women from successful trades careers.

@plumbingbyrach It’s art in my little world 🎨 #plumber #plumberwoman ♬ So your an artist - Tej Patel

Despite being encouraged to explore other career paths at school, 25-year-old Rachel has enjoyed a 10-year career in heating and plumbing after completing an apprenticeship with a small business in the county.

Speaking to Checkatrade's new initiative Get In, the 25-year-old explains she often faces curiosity around her career choice.

Rachel said: "No one ever expects me to say I'm a plumber. I would say around 90% of customers I visit will mention something about me being a woman and ask me why I do it.

"My appearance doesn't fit the ideal stereotype of what a plumber should be and so people automatically assume that I'm not capable, but I know I'm more than capable, so I don't let it affect me. Customers are always inquisitive but generally their reaction to me is positive."

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Commenting on the lack of women in the industry, Rachel highlights how, from her own experiences, more emphasis should be put on trades as a possible career choice.

She added: "I think schools and colleges firstly need to show it as an option to women and young girls. In school, going back to do A-Levels and then go to university was the only option that was encouraged [for me]. Going into construction wasn't even discussed by teachers.

"Once I had completed my GSCE's I knew I didn't want to return to school to do my A-Levels and I didn't want to go to university. I did well in school, but it just wasn't the right environment for me. I wanted to do something practical I had never done before.

"Even when I went to my college induction for the plumbing course, I was asked if I wanted to look at other course options instead.

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"Women are more than capable of working in construction. I have never come across anything that I wasn't able to do because I'm a woman.

"Thanks to social media, I now know of hundreds of tradeswomen dotted across the country, but we are all one of few in our area. The only other tradeswoman I know of in my area is my sister who is an electrician."

Despite facing curiosity from customers, Rachel is happy with her career choice.

She said: "I love getting up every morning, jumping in my van and going to a different place to do a different job than the day before. No two days are the same and it never gets boring.

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"The knowledge and skills you gain by working in the construction industry is something you'll never lose and will help you through every part of your life."

Powered by tradesperson directory Checkatrade.com and undertaken by leading independent macro-economic research firm Capital Economics, the report revealed the construction and trades industry will be missing almost one million workers needed to keep up with construction demand by the end of the next decade, highlighting an alarming need to drive more young people into the industry.

To help meet construction output, Checkatrade's new initiative Get In aims to drive more girls and young people into trade careers to help future proof the UK's construction and trades industry.

The Get In programme is actively looking for CVs from young people aged 16-25 who want to explore a career in trades. Find out how learning a trade can build your future and submit your CV on their website.