Women invited to sign up for free building skills sessions

Girls and women who are interested in careers in carpentry, plumbing, tiling or painting and decorating can take part in free taster sessions in Leicester this week.

Starting on 14 February and running daily until the end of the week, the scheme hopes to give women aged 16 and over a taste of construction careers.

The free sessions are being run by Leicester City Council in partnership with Leicester College, with the Council’s own qualified female trade operatives running the classes.

Those who enjoy the classes will be able to apply for the Council’s craft trade apprenticeship scheme when it is advertised at the end of the month.

Maria Pancholi, Operational Development Team Leader from the City Council’s Women in Construction team, said: ‘This is a chance for women to try something they may never have tried before in a supportive environment.

‘They will be taught by women already employed within the council’s housing team who can be looked upon as a shining example of what can be achieved with drive and determination.

‘These taster sessions could be the start of a whole new career, with the opportunity to gain a qualification as a tradesperson with the council’s housing services.’

Cllr Elly Cutkelvin, Assistant City Mayor with responsibility for housing, added: ‘We’ve been running these sessions for many years, and they’re a really good stepping stone for women who may not have thought about applying for a craft apprenticeship before. But because of the pandemic, we haven’t been able to run them for the last two years – and that’s led to a drop in enquiries from women about our apprenticeships.

‘I hope that this year’s programme will get us back on track, and encourage more women to find out more about a craft trade apprenticeship – and help us recruit a workforce that reflects the community we live in.’

Photo by Ascel Kadhem