HPM
WIT CONFERENCE
2018
“Many women probably don’t consider joining
the industry due to it traditionally being a male
dominated environment, which can often be
intimidating and uncomfortable for women”
Independent women to join
forces for Independence Day
The second Women Installers Together (WIT) conference takes place in London on July 4.
Hattie Hasan, founder of event organiser, Stopcocks Women Plumbers, questions Graham
Plumbers’ Merchant, headline sponsor of this year’s event.
Helena Wells, contract sales
manager for Graham – North
& West Yorkshire – shares her
thoughts on the industry as she
sees it and what it’s being a woman in
plumbing and heating.
Helena also discusses the benefits of
more flexible working patterns to the
whole industry and reveals why Graham is
sponsoring the WIT conference this year.
What do you think our industry offers
women? A far wider variety of job choices
than most people realise.
What issues do you see women facing
on a daily basis? The predominant issue
I feel is probably sexism. There seems to
be the perception that women couldn’t
possibly understand the industry as well as
men, and that women are less physically
capable, with it being a trade based,
physical industry.
Why do you think women want to join this
industry? I can’t speak on behalf of all
women, but some of my female colleagues
and I particularly enjoy the challenge of
being successful in a male dominated
industry. It forces you to push harder to
achieve your goals, prove your capabilities
and improve your skillset.
What has the industry got to offer to
women? Plenty of career opportunities
over a variety of different roles, without
requiring a degree. Plus, there is an
opportunity to earn great money and be
successful in what you do.
What do you think women have to offer
the industry in return? Many great
qualities that can enrich a company’s
offering within the industry. Our holistic
approach and the customer service skills
we’re encouraged to demonstrate. An
important example, which applies solely
to engineers, is that some customers feel
safer and more comfortable with female
engineers attending works/maintenance
at their property.
What is your overall view of Stopcocks?
Most of our customers actively choose
Stopcocks because they’re looking for a
tradeswoman. These are not only people
you’d think of as vulnerable; young men,
couples, professionals. There seems to be
a lot of customers who want a choice of
who comes into their home. Stopcocks
works as a company, customers want what
women bring to the industry and it makes
that so easy to find.
Why might women not want to join the
industry? Many women probably don’t
consider joining the industry due to it
traditionally being a male dominated
environment, which can often be
intimidating and uncomfortable for
women. There is also the big issue around
starting a family – my initial worry when I
discovered I was pregnant was my job and
how management would react, however,
everything was fine and the business
supported me. It’s generally harder for
women with a physically demanding job
when pregnant for obvious reasons. I feel
this is a major consideration for women
choosing a career.
How can the issues women face be
addressed and how does that benefit
everyone? I feel the only way the situation
can be tackled, is simply by more women
choosing to enter the industry until
eventually they’re not the exception. If
enough women are being seen in it for
the younger generation to think of it at
school as a career option, it will hopefully
achieve a more gender balanced working
environment.
Since returning to work after having
my son, Graham has encouraged and
supported me in flexible working,
meaning I can take on a different role if
I want too. I feel more flexible working
patterns are really beneficial to men as
well as women, as it’s not only women
who have childcare commitments these
days and flexibility isn’t only needed for
childcare.
Why is Graham keen to sponsor the
WIT conference and what do you think
it can achieve? While the construction
industry traditionally is male dominated,
Graham has worked hard to provide a
working environment that both men and
women feel included and valued in. This
sponsorship will provide an excellent
opportunity to demonstrate this inclusive
attitude and our continued support of
female installers.
The conference is important in many
ways, bringing women installers together
can end isolation and give them a place
to raise the value of their approach to the
plumbing and gas industry and for them
to consider where they’re taking their
career.
For free tickets to the WIT conference,
which takes place at The Building
Centre, in Bloomsbury, London, visit:
https://2018witconference.eventbrite.co.uk
For information about Stopcocks Women
Plumbers, visit: http://stopcocks.uk
Following the success of last year’s inaugural WIT
conference, the 2018 equivalent has been moved to
larger premises in Bloomsbury
34 Heating & Plumbing Monthly | JUNE 2018 | www.hpmmag.com
/2018witconference.eventbrite.co.uk
/stopcocks.uk
/www.hpmmag.com
