18th March 2021 – Laker has today announced it has joined The Women’s Trade Network, an initiative founded by some of the most well-known organisations in housing and property to increase the representation of women in trade roles. Laker will support the network in raising awareness of the variety of roles available to women in trade and encourage greater gender diversity across the industry.
Currently, just two percent of tradespeople in the UK are female, a statistic that has barely changed in 40 years. The trades can offer a hugely fulfilling career to women, yet there remains a gap in the number of women joining the profession. The Women’s Trade Network aims to highlight the opportunities available and provide training and support to women to help them embark on a career in trade. In addition to joining the network, Laker has signed the Women’s Trade Network Pledge, a commitment to supporting long-term change in the industry by helping to remove barriers, empower and support as well as increase access to the industry for women.
Haile Reed, Social Value Lead at Laker commented ‘The UK faces a real challenge over the next few years with trade skills shortages, it seems obvious that the way to address this is to engage, encourage and recruit women into these trades. Working within a trade can offer a diverse, rewarding and flexible career path and we welcome being part of the network to help promote this message’.
Open to any women in the UK, irrespective of her age, background or experience, the Women’s Trade Network will provide two access routes for women in trade. The first will be open to women already qualified in a trade and looking for advice on training on starting a business, while the second will provide entry-level training to women without relevant qualifications.
Cem Savas, CEO of Plentific and co-founder of the Women’s Trade Network said: “The Women’s Trade Network is an important initiative to encourage women to consider a career in trade. With the backing of the wider industry, we will be able to make a big difference and we are delighted that Laker has pledged its support; not just to the network, but to aspiring tradeswomen everywhere. Together, we will enact real change.”
About the Women’s Trade Network
Founded by Plentific, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), Peabody, Notting Hill Genesis, L&Q, Places for People, Women’s Pioneer Housing and Direct Works, the Women’s Trade Network is on a mission is to increase the representation of women in trade roles. Supported by partners from across the industry, the Women’s Trade Network provides training, support and access to roles for women already qualified in a trade and to women entering the industry for the first time.
For further information about the Women’s Trade Network and to view the pledge, please visit https://www.plentific.com/en-gb/women-trade-network
