Meet Carrie. Fashion Merchandiser to Joiner at 35.
Women and Manual Trades (WaMT) aims to make women the norm, rather than the exception, within construction and building trades. WaMT supports women currently working in construction trades, as well as those aspiring to enter the industry. We also assist employers and trade bodies seeking to address the gender imbalance in their workforce.
Meet Carrie
Carrie, a 37-year-old woman working in the social housing maintenance sector, faced significant challenges on her path to securing her dream job. Despite having a successful career in fashion marketing, her passion for maintenance never faded. When offered redundancy in her mid-30s, Carrie made the bold decision to enrol in a maintenance college course. However, without prior work experience, finding an employer proved difficult.
3:2 Programme
hrough WaMT’s 3:2 Programme, which provides female students with paid work placements during their college studies, Carrie gained valuable hands-on experience. The programme offered her the opportunity to work two days a week with contractors on site, enhancing her skills and helping her build a network in the industry. This was critical in securing her apprenticeship and allowed her to demonstrate her commitment to a career in maintenance.
Outcome
Carrie successfully completed her apprenticeship and now works as a maintenance operative with Jackson and Jackson, a contractor she was introduced to through the 3:2 programme. She plays a key role in upgrading social housing across Greater Manchester. Despite being the only woman on site and balancing personal responsibilities like planning a wedding and raising a family, Carrie has thrived. Her commitment to continuous learning and her willingness to take on new challenges have made her an exemplary figure in the field. Clients appreciate the diverse perspective she brings, and her manager praises her curiosity and dedication. Carrie is now considering further training to expand her skills, proving that it’s never too late to retrain and pursue new career opportunities.