A Female Plumber Faces
The number of women in the plumbing industry is on the rise, but they still face a lot of challenges in this male-dominated profession. The good news is that many of these obstacles can be overcome with a little effort, especially when plumbing businesses and organizations work together to promote the career. The most important thing that companies can do is to set aside gender stereotypes and misconceptions.
The first step is to actively recruit female candidates. Many companies are now doing this, but it’s also important to educate the public about the reality of a plumbing job. It’s important to show that a plumber can be just as competent whether they are a man or a woman. This will help dispel the myth that plumbing is a dirty, dangerous, or heavy job for men.
It’s also important to provide support and mentorship to female plumbers. This is something that many companies do through women’s chapters or committees. However, there hasn’t been a dedicated organization to women in the plumbing industry until last November when Women in Plumbing & Piping (WiPP) launched. The new membership organization focuses on the inclusion, empowerment and support of women in the trades, from the field to the boardroom.
The Challenges That A Female Plumber Faces
WiPP is already making a difference. One of its early projects was to launch a coloring book that celebrates the achievements of female plumbers. The goal is to give children positive images of women in the trades so that they are encouraged to follow their dreams.
Another way to encourage more women to become plumbers is to promote the industry’s training programs. This can be done through social media and through online marketing. In addition, more companies should make their apprentice positions available to women. This will allow them to get the hands-on experience they need and learn the skills of the trade without taking on a significant debt load.
Some companies are even going as far as setting up women-only plumbing teams and promoting this as their unique selling point. While this is an important move for women, it can also be problematic if men feel alienated from the team. It’s important for everyone involved to focus on equality and the promotion of a positive image of the trades.
As the need for more plumbers continues to grow, it’s important for the industry to look beyond traditional recruitment methods. It’s time to break the mold and hire more women, especially in service plumbing where the customers are likely to be more comfortable seeing a woman in their home. Hopefully, the industry will take note of the fact that nearly half of all consumers are more willing to trust a female plumber than a man. And that’s a good thing for both the industry and its customers.
