National Apprenticeship Week (9-15th February) gives us the opportunity to celebrate and reflect on our incredible apprenticeship programmes, apprentice tutors and of course our apprentices themselves.
This year we wanted to shine a light on our female apprentices and their female leaders, paving the way for female representation in male dominated industries.
Throughout history, certain sectors have been stereotyped as “men’s work” or “women’s work,” but it’s crucial that we continue breaking down these barriers. By celebrating these role models, we hope to inspire both our current and future students to pursue their ambitions confidently, wherever their path may lead.
“I study construction and on my course there is only one other woman, but she is in her 40’s,” explains Lowrie Kemp, 18, who has just completed her Construction Skills apprenticeship and is heading to university to study a degree in Architecture Technology this coming September. “I think it’s really good to see that there’s different pathways from an apprenticeship and that you can go into higher education from it as well.”
Among Nottingham College’s hundreds of apprentices - spanning industries such as construction, engineering and mechanics - only around 5% of the cohort are female. Thankfully, that number is steadily rising. Our apprenticeships consistently receive fantastic feedback, but this low percentage reflects the reality that these sectors have historically been less popular career choices for women.
Lowrie is thoroughly enjoying her apprenticeship, she said “I really like the hands-on experience and actually going to work on site and seeing the progress, whilst also working in the office too.
“But I think female representation in male dominated apprenticeships and industries is very important because if women see more representation that are training and working in the industry, maybe it will encourage more women to consider these types of careers.”
Lowrie is not alone in being the only female studying her apprenticeship, 22-year-old Phoenix has had a similar experience, “I’m also the only girl in my college class, but there is another apprentice where I work who is a girl. It's more comfortable at work because I'm there more, but at college it doesn't really bother me because everyone in my class is lovely.
“I do think female representation in these industries is important because it just shows that we can do it too, and it doesn't have to be male dominated anymore.”
Phoenix, who is studying the Light Vehicle Programme appreciates her apprenticeship as it allows her to experience practical working alongside learning, “I really enjoy studying an apprenticeship as I can actually work on cars for a living and then come here [to college] once a month or so for training. So, I'm spending more time at work getting the practical experience. It’s a great path to go down if you’re not particularly academic and want to do something hands on, for women as well as men.”
Prior to becoming our Head of Apprenticeships for Construction, Tracey North was the first female apprentice at Nottingham College in the 1980’s, so she has firsthand experience of being a gender minority. “There’s always going to be stigma, but it’s about trying to encourage people to change their opinions towards women in non-traditional areas,” she explains, “But I think the more women we encourage to get involved and be in those roles, the more females that will see it as normal and be open to considering a career in these fields themselves.
“I was the first female apprentice at the college in the 80’s, I came here to study painting and decorating, there was hardly any females on a building site back then. I later went into teaching around 5 or 6 years later.
“I’m so proud that more women are going into these male-dominated industries now, and that we’re able to champion females in construction and other areas, it’s fantastic.”
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, students Lowrie and Phoenix, as well as Tracey North, Ruddington’s Workshop Technician Stacie Barnes and Learning and Skills Tutor Emelia Chambers, were all interviewed by Radio Nottingham, to share their experiences of studying and working with apprenticeships surrounding male dominated industries. This show was broadcast on 10th February on the breakfast show, and you can still listen along on BBC Sounds here. (Listen from 1:23:50 - 1:29:46 and 1:49:00 - 1:55:35)
“I study construction and on my course there is only one other woman, but she is in her 40’s,” explains Lowrie Kemp, 18, who has just completed her Construction Skills apprenticeship and is heading to university to study a degree in Architecture Technology this coming September. “I think it’s really good to see that there’s different pathways from an apprenticeship and that you can go into higher education from it as well.”
Lowrie - Construction Skills Apprentice
“I do think female representation in these industries is important because it just shows that we can do it too, and it doesn't have to be male dominated anymore.”
Phoenix - Light Vehicle Programme Apprentice
