Scope of a Female Gas Engineer
Many people are unsure about whether or not they can become a gas engineer, especially since it seems to be something of a boys club. The truth is that the role is open to both men and women of all ages and backgrounds. The only thing that may stop someone is their own prejudices or misconceptions. This is why it’s so important that schools, colleges and industry bodies do everything they can to help dispel the myths about engineering, and encourage more young people, especially women, to consider a career as a gas engineer.
The main reason for this is that the country has a major problem with the number of engineers available to work in the energy and plumbing industries. The current numbers of registered female heating and gas engineers are heading towards retirement age, meaning that there is a massive shortage of people to take over. It is estimated that nearly two million new engineering, science and technology professionals will be needed in the UK over the next decade.
Despite this, it is still difficult to get people to apply, particularly as there’s a lot of stereotypes attached to the roles. A YouGov survey found that 53% of women aged 18-24 were put off applying to trade jobs by these misconceptions. It was also found that 24% of girls at school weren’t advised to pursue a trade, and were instead encouraged into more stereotypical female careers such as secretarial work.
What is the Scope of a Female Gas Engineer?
It is important that the people working in the heating and plumbing industries make a conscious effort to appeal to the younger generations and try to attract more female candidates, especially as it is the gender imbalance that is preventing the workforce from growing. Luckily, there is plenty of support out there for those who want to become a gas engineer, with training programmes such as Yorkshire’s VIVA training academy offering courses that lead to recognised industry qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities.
The other benefit is that working as a gas engineer can be a very social job. If you’re the type of person who likes chatting with people and helping them out, this is definitely the career for you. There are also some great financial incentives for those who work as a self-employed gas engineer, with hourly rates that can be higher than in most other industries.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that the skills you learn as a gas engineer can be transferred into other areas such as water conservation and renewable energy systems. With the world moving away from fossil fuels, it’s likely that more and more companies will need to hire people who can install, maintain and repair these types of systems. So, what are you waiting for? The scope of a female gas engineer is very real and the industry needs you! Get in touch with a training provider today to find out more about starting your journey to becoming a gas engineer.
