Fri Sep 20 08:09:52 UTC 2024: ## Tradeswomen Face Sexism and Pay Gap, Campaigners Say
**Bristol, UK -** Women working in skilled trades are facing significant discrimination and a pay gap compared to their male counterparts, according to industry research and workers themselves. A new report by Rated People revealed that over one-third of tradeswomen feel they aren’t taken seriously due to their gender.
“I was the only one to pass first time with distinction in my class,” said Katy Bradshaw, an electrician in Gloucestershire. “But I still struggled to find an apprenticeship; nobody would take on a female.”
TaskHer, a platform connecting homeowners with qualified tradeswomen, highlighted the pervasive sexism in the industry. Co-founder Anna Moynihan stated that women often face lower pay, feel unsafe, endure sexist jokes, and are questioned about their abilities based on their gender.
“Some of our tradeswomen have been asked if they are calling on behalf of their son, or told, ‘We can’t employ you because you’re not strong enough to lift equipment’,” Moynihan added.
TaskHer’s founders were inspired to create the platform after witnessing the bias against women in the trades firsthand. They observed that despite booking tradespeople, they were routinely addressed by their husbands regarding the work required.
With only 0.5% of gas engineers and 2% of electricians and plumbers being women, the lack of female representation in the trades is stark. This results in women missing out on high-paying careers and being channeled into lower-paying jobs like hairdressing and childcare, said Moynihan.
Despite these challenges, tradeswomen like Rosie Russell, a painter and decorator, find the job rewarding and flexible. She highlighted the opportunity for creativity and independent work within the profession.
“I had to learn everything for myself, like going to do estimates and quotes,” Russell shared. “But you can make it into your own niche and add creativity. I have someone working for me now, so you can make more money by subcontracting, and I’m also looking into teaching other people.”
The Trade Union Congress South West spokesperson emphasized that discrimination and harassment are unacceptable. They welcomed the government’s commitment to strengthening employment rights and protections.
With a growing community of tradeswomen online and a shortage of 166,000 skilled workers in the UK, encouraging more women into the trades is crucial for addressing the skills gap and promoting equality.
First Piper 