Since 1990, numbers of women in the industry have hardly changed, remaining less than seven per cent. Female plumbers make up around one per cent, and gas engineers around one in 300.
Most women that do enter this male dominated industry, have retrained to do so, and are usually faced with various issues due to their gender.
As important as it is to encourage girls to become apprentices at a younger age, Hattie Hasan, founder of Stopcocks Women Plumbers, believes that this challenge starts with making those already in the industry known. Once role models are established, girls will be able to see that such a career, which is usually perceived as a man’s job, is an actual possibility.
Now, after almost 30 years in the industry, Hattie has decided it’s time to do just this, and celebrate those women who are making it and succeeding. Consequently, she will be spearheading the first ever Women Installers Together (WIT) Conference, to be held on September 13, 2017.
“One of the main things I’d like the conference to address is isolation,” Hattie explained. “There are very few women that work in this industry. They could be the only woman in the team, and they may be facing some issues that they don’t realise they’re facing. The conference will allow women to see that they are in a minority, that they are unique, and that’s why this has to be a celebration.”
Director of Stopcocks, Mica May, added: “It will give women a chance to discuss the issues they’ve faced with in the industry, and then they’ll realise it’s not just me. It’s happening to others as well.”
The WIT conference will be held at the Hellenic Centre, in Marylebone, London, between 9:30am-4pm, and include a breakfast, a number of speakers, with a Q&A, lunch, and a chance to network and meet the makers.
There will also be goody bags included, and a very special raffle, with the first prize, a weekend in a luxury Polypipe Cabin with underfloor heating and a hot tub.
The whole day aims to provide additional skills to those working in the industry, to bring females together, and to create role models for the future.
To register for the free event, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-installers-together-tickets-34619896041