4 minute read
Training
ACCESS TRAINING UK REVEALS AN INCREASE IN WOMEN OPTING FOR A TRADE CAREER
Access Training UK has revealed a 27% uplift in the number of women registering for its trade courses year-on-year, as the construction industry continues to play a vital role in the UK’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is no secret that the pandemic has left many unemployed following multiple lockdowns. The UK’s unemployment rate has fallen but remains at 4.6% and it has been reported that women represent 57% of the workforce sectors that have been forced into shutdown during the pandemic, such as retail and leisure. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to see this demographic opting for a career change.
At Access Training UK, 27% more women registered for courses from 1 August 2020 - 20 July 2021, when compared with the previous year. The most popular course proved to be plumbing with 41% opting for this course, followed by 25% choosing electrical courses, 20% of women joining professional gas courses and 14% of women enrolling in construction courses.
One profession which has remained stable and in fact, increased revenue over the last year, is construction and trade. Since the first lockdown in May 2020, tradespeople were able to continue working, in line with social distancing guidelines. This, along with booming activity has led many to consider opting for a career in trade, and it is therefore no surprise to see a high proportion of women join the sector.
The home improvement boom over the last year has led to soaring levels of demand for the trade industry, with many DIY stores recording record sales, and builders experiencing the highest number of enquiries for 10 years at the beginning of 2021. The success of this industry can in part be attributed to homeowners, who having spent increased time at home, have opted to refresh their home’s design, or in some cases, make drastic changes to increase space, for example extensions and loft conversions.
Access Training UK has three centres in the South East; Cardiff, Hertfordshire and Kent, however, its three-stage training programme which enables online learning from anywhere has seen interest from across the country. Of the women who enrolled for courses between 1 August 2020 - 20 July 2021, there was a 40% increase in the East of England, compared to the previous year, followed by a 38% increase in the South East.
Jamie Jefferies, CEO of Access Training UK, comments: “It is extremely positive to see more and more women opting for trade careers, from plumbing through to electricians, gas engineers and construction. The rising demand in the trade sector over the last year has opened up a need for more qualified tradespeople and we are proud to offer a flexible, convenient and industry recognised training programme to support those looking to change careers or take their first step into the workplace.”
Access Training UK, accesstraininguk.co.uk
JTL is continuing to support the professional development of electricians with the launch of its latest, free bite-size digital course, ‘An Introduction to Smart Lighting’.
Part of JTL’s Power Up series – an initiative designed to further support the building services engineering sector by offering free advice and educational resources – the course is intended to help both apprentices and qualified electricians identify the best methods for the practical installation of smart lighting systems. As part of this course, learners will gain an understanding of the different components of smart lighting systems, how they work and how they can be controlled via the use of a smart meter or tablet.
This course also explores the standards and definitions required for safe installation of smart lighting systems, as well as how learners can apply the open system protocols of KNX during practical installations. Designed to take a minimum of 30 minutes to complete, the course has been produced to facilitate the learner’s journey towards Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and improve workplace competency.
Liam Sammon, Director of Learning and Innovation at JTL, says: “We’re delighted to be able to add to our Power Up series with this latest, bite-size course on smart lighting. As a leading electrical training provider, JTL is committed to providing electricians with a comprehensive set of resources and believes that this course will equip learners with the skills needed for their continuing professional development, as well as to help maintain workplace competency.
“In its emphasis on installation and the components of smart lighting systems, this course makes for an excellent supplement to some of JTL’s other Power Up courses, such as our ‘Inspection and Testing’ and ‘Smarter Homes’ modules. Our latest course, along with the others in JTL’s Power Up series, can be accessed via mobile, tablet or desktop, meaning that participants can complete the course wherever and at whatever pace or time suits them.”
The `Introduction to Smart Lighting’ bite-size digital course is now available on JTL’s new online learning portal. JTL, jtltraining.com
