A new book by written by an installer is shedding light on the challenges of building up female talent in the construction industry.
Plumber and gas engineer Jennie Jones has released her memoir Pipe Dream: Chasing a Man’s Job which charts her experience of retraining at the age of 38 and working in what has traditionally been a male-dominated sector.
For the last eight years, Jennie has run her own heating and plumbing company in Weymouth. This came after four years of study at her local college, and an apprenticeship with a local housing company. In 2015, she became a fully-qualified Gas Safe engineer.
Her story comes at a time when the construction industry is facing a looming skills shortage, as many in the workforce reach retirement age.
There is also growing demand from homeowners for female plumbers. Surveys have found that – given the choice – a significant number of older and female householders would prefer a female tradesperson.
However, women currently make up just one in every 300 gas engineers in the UK. Jennie’s autobiography gives a candid insight into why more women may be deterred from roles in plumbing and heating. She details facing sexism, childcare issues, stress, exhaustion, and more.
Pipe Dream: Chasing A Man’s Job is being released to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women entering the sector and is set to be released on 15 November, 2024. It will be available as a paperback and e-book at www.amazon.co.uk
