Three additional young women – Gina Mann, Hollie Heffer (pictured l-r) and Sarah Dengate – have joined JTL’s Ambassador programme, bringing the total to 23. The scheme sees females who are currently on an apprenticeship or already working in the building services engineering sector (primarily electricians and plumbers) come together to help raise awareness of the range of opportunities that exist for young women in the industry. Spread across England and Wales, the JTL Ambassadors talk to other young women about the pleasures and pitfalls of their chosen careers.
Many of the Ambassadors are still completing apprenticeships, whilst others have qualified and gone on to management roles, set up their own businesses, or taken on supervisory roles on large building sites.
“Women are currently enormously under-represented in the sector – for example, currently less than 1% of new electrical apprentices in the UK are women. But our experience demonstrates very clearly that young females can – and do – achieve great things in this industry,” says JTL’s Ambassador Scheme Manager, Yasmin Damree-Ralph.
“Our aim is, quite simply, to educate young women about the career opportunities that exist for them in building services. The best way for girls currently at school or college to hear our message is via other young women, so back in 2013 we brought together a fantastic group of intelligent and enthusiastic advocates to help us spread the word.
“They do a truly fantastic job – speaking in schools, relating their experiences, answering questions, offering advice and dispelling the odd myth or two! What better way for our message to be relayed?
“We’re delighted that Hollie, Gina and Sarah have decided to join the scheme, helping us empower other women to access a career in our sector. We look forward to working alongside them in the years to come, supporting them in their ambassadorial roles and in their own careers.”
All from Kent, Hollie and Gina are both plumbing and heating apprentices, whilst Sarah is an electrical apprentice.
For more information on the opportunities for young women in the electrical and heating and plumbing sectors, visit the JTL website at www.jtltraining.com
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