College breaking down barriers to women in the building trade

HEAD OF APPRENTICESHIPS STARTED HER CAREER AS THE FIRST FEMALE CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE

- By MEGAN HILL

IN 1988 Tracey Todd-North started a painting and decorating apprenticeship at Basford Hall College. The 16-year-old was the college's first female apprentice - something that earned her a spot on the front page of the Nottingham Evening Post at the time.

Now, some 37 years later Tracey is still breaking down barriers, encouraging more young women to enter the construction industry as Head of Apprenticeships for Construction at Nottingham College.

Nottingham College is one of the largest providers of construction training in the Midlands and yet of their current 314 construction apprentices, only 29 are female - less than 10%.

Tracey said: "Being the first female apprentice at the college was definitely challenging at first, but I was determined to earn the respect of my peers and lecturers.

"On-site, I was lucky to have a supportive boss who made it clear to colleagues that I was there to do a job - and I did it well.

"In time, I proved I could do the job just as well - if not better - than anyone else."

Years later, Tracey returned to Nottingham College to lead the construction apprenticeship department.

Tracey and the college are committed to closing the gender gap in the industry - and that starts with addressing the gender imbalance in construction apprenticeships.

Women make up just 15% of the UK construction force, with approximately only 2% working on-site.

Apprenticeships tackle this issue head on by bringing young women on-site from the very start of their training.

Lucy, a first year painting and decorating apprentice, spends one day a week in college and the rest working on site. Her experience is nothing but positive.

She said: "If anything I think I get special treatment. I even get my own toilet."