How many women does it take to change a lightbulb?
One.
How many women does it take to install a state-of-the-art boiler system?
Still one, providing she’s had the appropriate training and gained the relevant qualifications.
Obviously.
The UK is currently undergoing a huge skills shortage, with too many jobs and too few workers (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.) who are actually qualified to do them. This is putting a massive amount of pressure on the entire country; it’s something we hear about on the news, and it’s something we face when a pipe bursts and we actually have to find a plumber who can squeeze us into their busy schedule.
Britain is crying out for more people to learn these valuable skills. So why not women?
These industries have always been particularly male-dominated; when the words 'builder' and 'woman' are uttered in the same sentence, many people picture catcalls and wolf-whistles rather than a female bricklayer at work.
But why should this be case? Trade skills can lead to lucrative careers, and any determined, hardworking and intelligent person is more than capable of training up in one of these skills, regardless of their gender.
Lately, there has been an increase in the number of women entering these industries, hoping to benefit from all the same perks that tradesmen have been enjoying for years (e.g. good pay, rewarding work, choosing your own hours).
Gender equality within the trades won't change overnight - females currently make up just 6% of the workforce in certain trades, so it’s an uphill battle. However, the more women choose this path, the more women prove themselves just as capable as their male co-workers, and the more other women will feel encouraged to learn a trade themselves.
A fully-qualified woman is just as capable as a fully-qualified man, and therefore just as able to take advantage that this skills gap now provides.
Should women learn a trade?
If you enjoy working with your hands or don’t fancy a desk-based office job, then why not consider training up for a trade career and acquiring lifelong skills that will always be in demand? Being a woman should be no barrier, and there are lots of reasons why these industries make for desirable career paths, including:
- Great pay – experienced carpenters, electricians and plumbers can earn annual salaries of £30,000+.
- High demand – The current demand for people with these skills creates job stability as industries desperately try to fill vacancies.
- Be your own boss – Tradespeople often have the opportunity to become self-employed. This means you can pick your own jobs, hours and what you charge your clients.
- Less student debt – You don’t need a degree to learn a trade skill, and it no longer takes years to qualify. Training courses such as those available from Access Training Academies allow you to learn and get qualified quickly, so you can start earning as soon as possible.
How do I become qualified?
Training up to become a qualified tradesperson is much easier than it used to be. Traditionally, this career path would require years of studying in a college, with additional years working as an apprentice. Now training companies such as Access Training Academies allow you to study your chosen trade and learn the practical skills necessary on an intensive training course.
You can pick from several courses and several training centre locations across the UK to study your trade. We take a range of people all coming from diverse backgrounds - some just entering the world of work, some recently made redundant and looking to retrain, some just looking to carry out some DIY tasks around the home.
That’s why we understand that a training course can’t be a 'one size fits all' solution. We do everything we can to help you find a course that best suits your circumstances. It’s this flexibility that appeals to so many of our students - the ability to learn at your own pace while honouring family and work commitments. You can even start your training online!
Whether you want a complete change of career, some useful new skills, or an opportunity to top up the knowledge you already have, we're sure to have a suitable course for you. Access Training can take you from beginner to qualified worker, giving you all the skills necessary to get hired. If you aren’t ready to give up your current career, you can complete the course part-time and work while you learn.
Regardless of your age, sex, race or skill level, everyone on our courses is greeted with a warm welcome.
Call Access Training on 0800 345 7492 to discuss your goals with one of our friendly course advisors.
Browse Our Trade Courses >
Did you make any New Year's resolutions back at the beginning of January? Lots of people do it, and while resolutions differ greatly from each person, we can probably all agree that deciding to learn a beneficial new skill is a good resolution to make!
If you want to learn a new skill or to make some changes to your household this year, we have a number of home improvement courses that are sure to suit you. These DIY training packages are a great way to learn valuable new skills and take your home improvements back into your own hands.
When something goes wrong around the house - or when you just want to make some simple home improvements - it can be expensive to hire someone to do it for you. Being able to carry out certain tasks by yourself will give you far more freedom over your project, allowing you to save a lot of money in the process.
Although many of our training courses are designed to help students kick-start their careers in a chosen trade industry, we also cater to those who are simply interested in learning some essential DIY skills. Our home improvement courses will help you to be far handier around the house, and they'll also give you the satisfaction of gaining a useful new skill.
Here are some of the home improvement courses we offer:
Our courses are incredibly flexible, so you can learn at your own pace and around your work / family commitments. We are more than happy to talk you through each course and find the best way for you to study - please contact us today for advice!
If you've grown tired of your unfulfilling job, you may be considering a change of career. There are many reasons why you may be looking to retrain as an electrician, and Access Training provides a great way to learn this vital trade and get your career started.
Whether you're a complete newcomer or a qualified trade professional who's looking to learn some new skills, you can retrain as an electrician with the help of Access Training Academies. If you're ready to enrol, you can skip straight to our list of electrical courses - but for more information on why you should retrain as an electrician, keep reading.
Why retrain as an electrician?
- Good salary - Electricians are some of the highest earning tradespeople. On average, electricians earn around £32,000 a year. A fantastic salary worth working for.
- Work anywhere - With the current skills shortage, it is possible to find work as an electrician anywhere in the UK. Whether you want to relocate or just want to travel more.
- Be your own boss - Qualified electricians can pick the jobs that suit them, this freedom to work for yourself means you can pick your hours and take home all the money you've earned.
- No degree required - With many jobs there is the assumption that a degree is necessary to do well. However, becoming successful in a trade is possible with a course, apprenticeship and by gaining steady experience.
How long does it take to retrain as an electrician?
Traditionally, training as an electrician took up to three years as it was necessary to spend years studying in college and then take on an apprenticeship in order to qualify. However, there are now ways in which you can become a qualified electrician in a much shorter timeframe.
Our courses are designed to get you qualified as quickly as possible, whilst still ensuring you are fully able and competent at the job. Depending on your levels of experience, determination and the programme you choose to follow, you could be qualified within a few months.
This will vary between students, for instance, some of our students choose to retrain as an electrician part-time whilst they maintain other job and family commitments which may take longer. Ultimately we will help all of our students achieve their ambition, no matter how long they choose to study for. We will work with you to find realistic study goals and stick to them.
ONLINE TRAINING: We now offer live online training sessions - join our virtual classroom, interact with your expert tutor, and learn the basics of electrical work from the comfort of your own home. Of course, a professional electrician needs a lot of hands-on experience, so the practical part of your course will take place at our training centre as usual. Get in touch now to find out more!
Our electrical courses include a number of industry-recognised qualifications - more information here:
If you're interested in retraining as an electrician or taking any of our courses we are more than happy to help. We will advise you on what course would best suit your goals and circumstances. To speak to one of our expert advisors, contact us today.
As we get older, it can sometimes feel like our career options are slipping away from us; like once we have picked a direction, it’s impossible to change course. In reality, it’s never too late to retrain and learn some different skills – our adult training courses are designed to help you make the change you want, no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Whether you are a complete beginner or an established tradesperson hoping to enhance your skills, our adult training courses can help you to achieve the qualifications your need to achieve your career ambitions.
Some of the adult training courses we offer include:
For a full list of all the courses we offer here at Access Training, visit our homepage.
Why Get Qualified With Access Training’s Adult Courses?
We offer a diverse range of training courses to suit every one of our learners, whether you're a beginner or a professional. Our intensive adult training courses are designed to get you qualified in the shortest possible timeframe so that you can begin working as soon as possible. Rather than spending 3 to 4 years training in college and completing an apprenticeship, you can start earning within months.
Our courses are also perfect for adults who have other life commitments such as work or family, as they are flexible enough to be tailored to your availability. This means you can learn at your own pace whilst maintaining other work and home responsibilities. We even offer live online learning, so you can start your training course at home!
If you want to make a change in your career, our advisors are more than happy to help you find a course that suits your goals. We will work with you to get you to where you need to be - contact us today for advice!
Browse our training courses >
Learn your trade. Get qualified. Make it happen.
Last updated 5th July 2022
If you want to have a career as a gas engineer, you'll first need to earn the qualifications that certify your ability to work safely and legally. One of these qualifications is the CCN1 gas qualification.
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