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Original poster

Would you advise your DD to go into the trades?

105 replies

ItsFineReally · 22/03/2025 07:32

  1. University fees are now significant
  2. We're always in need of plumbers, plasterers, electricians etc
  3. Women often find it hard to find good flexible work while their children are young

Considering the above, why aren't there more women in the trades, and have you raised it as an option with your daughters when discussing future job roles?

OP posts:
rankflowerycurtains · 22/03/2025 07:45

This was a topic on women’s hour yesterday. Very interesting- I would consider it a second career if this one doesn’t work out

ByUniqueNavyPoet · 22/03/2025 07:43

Just to point out, don't assume it's flexible. Hours can be long due to pressure to get a job finished in time to keep a job on schedule. With plumbing there would be emergency call outs.

Hazel665 · 22/03/2025 07:40

I've thought about this, but one thing that puts me off is unfortunately that women are vulnerable - if you call a plumber/electrician/carpenter/plasterer usually it's man, and he comes round to your house on his own and is not worried about his own safety. If my daughter were a plumber/electrician/carpenter/plasterer I'd be worried for her.

I suppose she could make sure she only worked on big sites with a whole team around her though.

Cleanupcleanup · 22/03/2025 07:35

No. Unfortunately the trades are still a very sexist place. I believe it would be a daily battle with lots of harassment over the course of her career.

FeministUnderTheCatriarchy · 22/03/2025 07:35

I think it's a brilliant option, but I would be discussing things like whether long term she would want to be self employed or work for other people.

I would also consider her personality and whether she would be able to deal with blatant misogyny, crass and sexual humour etc.

I know a few female tradies and they have to have VERY thick skin and all of them went self employed as soon as their internships and training ended.

I would always hire a woman if possible and I know loads of others who feel the same way. It's hard having strange men in your home who are always a bit misogynistic and patronising.

It would be a great business idea, a female tradies app.

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