South Birmingham College, Bordesley Green Campus, Birmingham
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
What's happening? More young women in Birmingham are carving out a career in the construction industry, according to figures from South Birmingham College. The college, which has a specialist construction campus in Bordesley Green, has seen a large increase in women taking up trade courses - from just 60 in 2005 to nearly 200 this year.
Why is this? Staff at the college claim that attractive career prospects and shifting attitudes to women in the workplace have sparked the increase.
What do the students say? Carla Williams, 17, is studying a Level 2 diploma in carpentry and joinery as part of her apprenticeship. She says: "The course fits in with what I'm trying to do in my career. I'm really enjoying it. I don't get any problems from the lads as I let my work speak for itself."
Demi Insell, 17, is doing a plumbing City & Guilds Level 1. She says: "With a job like this you always have opportunities. I'm a very practical person. I worked in an office and I hated it. The lads on the course are a lot more supportive than I thought they would be. At first they said 'Whoa, a girl!' but now they have accepted me."
