Ida Beedie, of The Chimney Specialist, has become the first woman to lead a HETAS training course in January, at the H Firkins & Sons Training Centre in Milton Keynes.
An insider at HETAS stated the appointment was a “really positive step towards acknowledging the increasing prevalence of women in the solid fuel industry – it’s not just a place for men anymore”.
Hannah Michelle, part of the H Firkins & Sons in house assessment and quality assurance team, warned that there’s still a way to go to break down all the stereotypes.
Hannah, who herself is one of the few women registered with HETAS to assess candidates coming through courses, said: “I’ve been carrying out HETAS assessments for almost a year now, and I have had quite a few interesting comments.
“For the most part, everyone is lovely – the course with Ida this week was great with a lovely group. All we had were positive comments.
“I still get the occasional comment asking whether I’m the tea girl though, or if I’m married to the owner or something. I take it in good humour – the tables always turn when I’m there marking their test papers!”
Josh Firkins, H Firkins & Sons training manager, added: “Given how many women work in chimneys now, there’s bound to be a fair representation of them in training going forward.
“Take Ida for example; her family have been involved in chimneys for generations. The work she does is fantastic, and I can’t think of anybody better to be training the art of chimney and solid fuel installation.
“By the end of 2025, there will be other training centres that have followed suit, and why shouldn’t they?”
Ida said: “I just want to be the best I can be – there’s room for improvement always but I will get there. “The guys on the course were lovely, and working with Hannah was a dream – she was my calm.”