Women in trades

Your rights at work and in training

The Equality Act 2010 makes it against the law to discriminate against anyone because of their sex, pregnancy or maternity, and other protected characteristics. You are protected at work and in education, which includes college courses and apprenticeships.

The law also allows voluntary 'positive action' to help people with a protected characteristic who are under-represented in a type of work – so women-only taster days or training schemes can be perfectly lawful.

• Discrimination: your rights (GOV.UK)

Kit that fits

Where a risk assessment shows personal protective equipment (PPE) is needed, employers must provide it free of charge. The Health and Safety Executive's guidance says PPE should suit the worker, taking into account size, fit, weight and the wearer's physical characteristics, and that modifying PPE to make it fit is not a suitable solution.

So if boots, gloves, harnesses or overalls do not fit you properly, raise it – it is a safety issue, not a favour.

• HSE: PPE at work
• HSE: selecting PPE that suits the wearer

Pregnancy and family life

Pregnant employees have legal rights to paid time off for antenatal care, maternity leave, maternity pay or allowance, and protection against unfair treatment. When you tell your employer you are pregnant, they should assess risks such as heavy lifting, long hours or exposure to harmful substances, and take reasonable steps to remove them – for example by offering different work or changing your hours.

In England, Scotland and Wales, all employees also have the legal right to request flexible working from their first day in a job, such as changing hours, start and finish times or working days. Employers must handle requests reasonably, though they can refuse for a good business reason.

• Pregnant employees' rights (GOV.UK)
• Flexible working (GOV.UK)

Questions to ask a potential employer

A good employer will be happy to answer these.

• Is PPE available in a range of sizes that will fit me?
• What welfare facilities are there on site and on customer jobs?
• Who will be my supervisor or mentor during training?
• How do you handle flexible working requests?
• Are there other women in the team or wider company I could talk to?

Networks and support

Joining a network can help you find mentors, role models and friends in the industry.

• The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is a not-for-profit association that supports women in construction with site visits, networking and development events
• The Women's Engineering Society (WES) supports women in engineering, with communities and mentoring
• Go Construct, run by CITB, has careers information for every construction trade

• NAWIC
• Women's Engineering Society
• Go Construct

Routes in

Every route on this site is open to you: foundation and full apprenticeships, T Levels, college courses, Skills Bootcamps and trainee jobs. Many tradespeople also go on to work for themselves, which can give more control over hours and the kind of work you take on.

• Find an apprenticeship
• Your training options