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Zoomup Women and BS7671

lyledunn
In a current thread, the intrepid Zoomup refers to his professional etiquette with female customers. I think I understand the reason why he mentioned it, given the boiling anxiety and rightful anger of women following the appalling murder of Sarah Everard. But what efforts are we making as an industry to provide a safe and attractive career for females in electrical installation work? I was part of a scheme twenty years ago that set about trying to do just that but it failed miserably as it was under resourced and really lacked any enthusiastic drive.

Just look at the plethora of males that dominate our industry. I wonder how many females have found a place on JPEL 64? 

There are lots of reasons why females would not give the electrical installation industry a second glance but I believe a re-invigorated, seriously well-funded body should commence the efforts to change that. A body like the IET perhaps? Whoever it may be, we all have a role to play even if it is just following what Zoomup does!
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    Chris Pearson:


    No. 1 granddaughter showed no interest at all when I was rewiring their house; no 2 granddaughter showed just a little, but didn't seem to want to know how it works. When I was little, I enjoyed watching tradesmen at work and wanted to be able to do it myself.


    So I think that it is simply the case that most girls simply are not interested. 


    I would beg to differ with that comment Chris. Did you attempt to engage your granddaughter's interest in what you were doing or were you expecting them to take an interest of their own accord?


    I was very lucky that my Dad introduced me to car mechanics and general maintenance from a very young age and although I never became a mechanic, I know my way around a car engine enough not to be taken advantage of when it needs work. I'm also very comfortable with fixing my own electronics and do so regularly.


    I never went into engineering because, firstly I never had any real encouragement to do so and secondly we were never introduced to any female role models in the industry. I can't remember a time at school when a career in engineering was ever spoken about to the girls. It was always 'nursing' or 'customer service' roles. In fact I was encouraged NOT to take up subjects that were traditionally 'not for girls' 


    I have two nieces now and actively encourage them to explore the whole breadth of opportunities that are nowadays available to them and this includes (as you would expect from having an Auntie that works for the IET) introducing them to the wonders of engineering and technology. ?


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  • 0
    Chris Pearson:


    No. 1 granddaughter showed no interest at all when I was rewiring their house; no 2 granddaughter showed just a little, but didn't seem to want to know how it works. When I was little, I enjoyed watching tradesmen at work and wanted to be able to do it myself.


    So I think that it is simply the case that most girls simply are not interested. 


    I would beg to differ with that comment Chris. Did you attempt to engage your granddaughter's interest in what you were doing or were you expecting them to take an interest of their own accord?


    I was very lucky that my Dad introduced me to car mechanics and general maintenance from a very young age and although I never became a mechanic, I know my way around a car engine enough not to be taken advantage of when it needs work. I'm also very comfortable with fixing my own electronics and do so regularly.


    I never went into engineering because, firstly I never had any real encouragement to do so and secondly we were never introduced to any female role models in the industry. I can't remember a time at school when a career in engineering was ever spoken about to the girls. It was always 'nursing' or 'customer service' roles. In fact I was encouraged NOT to take up subjects that were traditionally 'not for girls' 


    I have two nieces now and actively encourage them to explore the whole breadth of opportunities that are nowadays available to them and this includes (as you would expect from having an Auntie that works for the IET) introducing them to the wonders of engineering and technology. ?


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