Rule of PLUMB
LAUREN’S APPEAL AS SHE TRIES TO BREAK INTO ‘MALE DOMINATED JOB’
Lauren’s battle to find work in a male dominated business
A FEMALE plumber has launched a Boys from the Blackstuff style ‘gis a job’ appeal after struggling to find work – despite successfully completing a plumbing course at college.
Lauren Winter, from Binley, says a big part of the problem is being a woman in a very male dominated profession.
However, she feels being a single mum and requiring flexibility is also hampering her quest for work.
The 24-year-old qualified with a City & Guilds plumbing qualification in June after a year studying at Coventry College and so far she has applied for more than 100 jobs.
“I’m really struggling to be honest,” she said.
“I’m absolutely desperate in trying to find employment as an apprentice plumber but being female with commitments to my daughter is proving so hard.”
Lauren is at the point where she needs to work for a company who can provide her with the vital on-the-job training and experience she needs to progress her career.
She is determined to succeed, having originally set out on the plumbing career path in 2011.
She started out in 2011”I went into plumbing in 2011 and started at college but in December that year I found out I was pregnant with my daughter Ellie.
“I had to call it a day but was told I could come back.
“I worked in retail in between but got really bored.
“So, that’s what I did. I started on my plumbing course last September and
finished in June. As part of the course and since finishing I have done lots of voluntary work around the country but I can’t find a paid position that is flexible enough. “It is by no means easy.” Although she admits it is still a very male dominated profession, Lauren says she has only really encountered the occasional bit of sexism - and that has been online and not in the real world.
She said: “On social media I’ve had experience of male installers and plumbers saying stuff like ‘she’s female, she can’t do the job’, but in person out on site when I’ve been doing voluntary work I get respect.
“I guess there I have been dealing with mature men, not immature 16-year-olds with no life experience.
“In person I get respect but not on social media. The perception seems to change slightly.”
Lauren has applied for a lot of jobsSo just how many jobs has Lauren applied for?
“It must be in excess of 100,” she said. “I have also got an advertisement up in plumbing merchants and other places.”
Lauren, who cleaned toilets to help finance her way through her plumbing course, says she can offer 100 per cent dedication and commitment to anyone who takes her on.
She just needs a degree of flexibility because of the responsibilities of being a single parent to her six-yearold daughter Ellie.
She said: “I have got my own tools and my own van and all I want to do is work hard.
“All I would say to any would-be employer is give me a chance.
“I am prepared to work hard, am good at taking in information and am able to do what I’m told.
“I have got my head screwed on, I want to do the job and am reliable.“The only thing I have to balance is having responsibility for a child.”
Anyone interested in employing Lauren can contact her via email at loz_winter@icloud.com