The Women's Trade Network.

The Women’s Trade Network is a Plentific-led initiative supported by a consortium of organisations in the real estate and construction industries. Today, females represent just 2% of the skilled trade workforce in the UK, and we're on a mission to change this.

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Our mission.

The Women's Trade Network aims to raise awareness of the benefits that a career on the tools can offer. We partner with training providers to launch introductory trade courses, as well as supporting organisations to provide mentorship and employment opportunities. Please join us in our effort to empower women and bridge the gender gap in the skilled trade industry.

 

Female plasterer

For women

Our community welcomes females that are looking to train and embark on a career in the booming trade sector. With the support of our training providers and partners, we offer a number of introductory courses to help you identify your preferred trade and find employment prospects that best suit your skills, availability and career goals.

No matter which route is taken, our network is committed to ensuring long-term job opportunities at the end of it, whether that be with a contractor firm, in-house maintenance team or even starting up your own business.

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Businesswoman on laptop

For supporters

The Women's Trade Network is supported by a number of organisations within the housing, real estate and construction sectors. Each organisation shares our vision to increase female representation within the trade sector long-term, and play a role in encourage more females into trade roles and improving access within their organisations.

Our supporters make a difference by promoting our initiative, offering locations for courses, providing mentorship to learners, and by offering apprenticeship opportunities to our Network. If your organisation can help, we welcome you to become a Women's Trade Network supporter.

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WTN Insights

WTN

Game changers for women in construction trades

Initiatives like the Women’s Trade Network, among others, are leading the charge by implementing game-changing activity aimed at encouraging more women into the industry.

Amy Hodgson ∙ 03 August
WTN

Improving job security for women in the trade sector

The trade industry is due a reckoning. Suffering from an ageing workforce, lack of new and upcoming talent and a skills shortage, something needs to give. That's without the current price and supply...

Amy Hodgson ∙ 14 July
Insights | WTN

Spotlight: Apprentice Joiner Amy Fielding

Read on to find out about Amy's story and why being the only female in her team never even crosses her mind.

Shariq Kochhar ∙ 09 May
Insights | WTN

Helen Mulgan: Representation and Allyship for Women in Trades

Plentific sits down with Helen Mulgan of Peabody, to discuss representation, allyship and why we should redraft the narrative for women in trades roles.

Shariq Kochhar ∙ 29 April
Insights | WTN

Emma Davison: Creating the culture to encourage more women in trades

Plentific sits down with Emma Davison of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) to understand her ambitions and efforts in creating a culture of diversity at her organisation.

Shariq Kochhar ∙ 07 April
WTN

7 Meaningful Steps Your Company Should Take to Support Women in Trades and Construction

In the last 5 years, the number of women looking to enter the trades and construction industry has more than tripled. While these numbers are encouraging, women entering the skilled trades often face...

Melody Sadé Abeni ∙ 07 April
WTN

Women in Trades: How to Mitigate Potential Barriers to Entry

The trades and construction industry has become an increasingly attractive field for women looking for a rewarding career path. However, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of gender...

Melody Sadé Abeni ∙ 07 March