Call for more women sparks

27-04-2010

The NICEIC has expressed concern at the slow progress in attracting more women to the electrical contracting industry and claims that there is an underlying culture of discrimination within the profession.

“Figures indicate that less than one in every thousand electrical contractors is female,' said Emma McCarthy, chief operating officer, NICEIC. “This is unacceptable, especially since many of the reasons behind the current situation have no place in a modern and forward thinking industry. Not only does the inclusion of women make good business sense for employers, all those who are interested in becoming electrical contractors should be welcomed and encouraged, irrespective of whether they are male or female,” she added

NICEIC believes that despite the ongoing skills shortage, employers are systematically ignoring just over 50 per cent of the population, even though there are good business reasons to employ women. For example, many elderly people and women, including those who belong to ethnic groups where there could be an objection to men entering the house, would prefer to use female contractors.