Success story T
Katie Silvester catches up with ECA’s Wired for Success pilot project, aimed at getting more women into the electrical contracting sector
he ECA’s groundbreaking programme to promote the training of more women in the electrical contracting fi eld – Wired for Success: ECA Women into Electrical Contracting initiative – has got off to
a fl ying start. Eleven female L&Q housing association residents have
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been given the chance to re-train as electricians, in a fl agship project that, it is hoped, will inspire other organisations to create more chances for under-represented groups in trades. The scheme was the brain-child of former ECA president
and current skills ambassador, Diane Johnson. She was looking at ways to break down the barriers that have traditionally prevented women from entering into the electrical sector, while recognising that there is an impending skills
Wired for Success trainees in action: (left to right) Sue Ann McCook, Hoa Chi Luu and Vicki Van Eck
shortage in the industry that could easily be fi lled by women. Johnson realised that there are plenty of women who have found themselves out of work, or are simply looking for a career change, but need to be able to accommodate family commitments while they are re-training. Wired for Success has been designed as a fl exible course that runs during term-time only. Johnson says: ‘The women are really loving the course
– it shows what you can do when people think outside the box. The ladies are doing really well – I am so proud of them. We want this pilot to serve as a blueprint that other forward-thinking organisations can replicate in other parts of the country. It shows what can be achieved by like-minded organisations working together in partnership.’
Measuring up Jan Emery, an education consultant and training provider at training partner EAS Education, has been working closely with the women on the course. ‘They’ve been making really good progress. We’ve been focusing on developing their practical skills with lighting circuits, so the bulk of their
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ECA Today March 2012
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