Industry gender gap “must be trade priority” in 2018
Posted by: electime 6th February 2018
As the nation celebrates the 100th anniversary of the female vote, Emma Clancy, NICEIC CEO, says that tackling gender inequality “must be a trade priority.”
Emma says that despite some progress in other industries, gender disparity is clear and prevalent in the electrical and wider construction sectors:
“February 6th 1918 was an important milestone in our history but it only marked the start of a journey that we are still on today to bring about equality.”
She says that women only make up around one per cent of the total workforce and the industry needs to broaden their approach to recruitment and the image they portray.
The Jobs for the Girls campaign, set up by NICEIC, has helped promote opportunities for women in the electrical industry and has brought greater focus to the issue.
Emma adds: “There are some great success stories out there of women who have made a great career in the electrical industry.”
“They are real trailblazers and evident that the industry is changing. However, the numbers are still painfully low and many young women are still pushed into careers such as hairdressing or childcare as it is the perceived norm.”
Emma insists that young females need to view a career in the electrical industry as a viable, exciting option.
