Tackling the Woeful Diversity in Plumbing: Women Leading the Way

The plumbing trade is characterised by male dominance, but women are increasingly challenging the stereotypes and barriers that have existed. There has been some progress, but it is still way below par. Leah Robson, Hattie Hasan, and Sovay Berriman are among the strong-willed individuals who are supporting diversity, campaigning for change, and making tomorrow’s construction industry a more inclusive one.

The Current State of Women in Plumbing: Information from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) showed that there were few women plumbers. 2,700 women (1.9%) were employed as plumbers in Britain in 2021. The number increased to 3,500 women (2.4%) in 2022; while any increase is welcome, this indicates an urgent need for greater gender balance within plumbing and allied trades.

Addressing Assumptions and Stereotypes: Even at just 2.4% representation, Leah Robson, founder of Your Energy Your Way, argues this figure is very low. However, there are still people who believe men make better plumbers than women do, which is a misplaced attitude even in this day and age. Female workers within their professions continue to raise awareness of opportunities that should be available to them so they can grow alongside males.

The Role of Support Networks and Social Media: Hattie Hasan, founder of Stopcocks Women Plumbers, understands the power of support networks on social media for connecting women nationwide who ply the trade like herself. These networks enable tradeswomen to exchange experiences or even get advice through platforms such as Facebook groups and TikTok. They can come together with others like them across the UK, fostering identity building and supporting each other. Stopcocks Women Plumbers is an example of a group that organises events to bring women tradespeople together, celebrate their achievements, and highlight their potential.

Creating an Inclusive Workplace: A self-employed plumber in Cornwall, calling herself “Plumbmaid,” Sovay Berriman shares her experiences. She highlights how male customers often feel more at ease when dealing with them, thereby debunking the myth that only men work in this field. Though Berriman faced discrimination, she points out that what matters most is avoiding gender-based stereotypes since people should be judged according to their abilities rather than their sex.

Challenges and Triumphs:

A self-employed plumber in Cornwall, calling herself “Plumbmaid,” Sovay Berriman shares her experiences. She highlights how male customers often feel more at ease when dealing with them, thereby debunking the myth that only men work in this field. Though Berriman faced discrimination, she points out that what matters most is avoiding gender-based stereotypes since people should be judged according to their abilities rather than their sex.

Driven by Leah Robson, Hattie Hasan, and Sovay Berriman among other determined women, the journey towards gender diversity in plumbing and associated trades has begun. Despite existing issues and stereotypes, these ladies take the lead in demanding change while creating a more inclusive industry. They show progress through support networks and social media efforts, focusing on addressing women’s needs at work. Changing the mindset of plumbing firms, employers, and society at large regarding the valuable input of women into this trade is vital. In doing so, a norm where diversity goes hand in hand with equality can be created, even in areas where differences still exist.