Samantha Jones: Making Strides in the Electrical Industry

The electrotechnical industry has long been a male-dominated field but now more women than ever are pursuing a career in the sector. Of these, many have achieved considerable career success.

Samantha Jones, Director of ECA Member firm Melvin John Electrical Contracting Ltd., is one such woman. In this interview with ECAtoday, Samantha shares her experiences, including her route into the industry and how she stays up to date in a continually changing business and technical environment.

Journey into electrical work

Samantha began her career as an electrician in her early twenties, following a career change. “My previous role was caring for adults with learning difficulties, which I thoroughly enjoyed,” she said. “But after a few years, I wanted to make a change, and to move into something offering different career prospects.”

Samantha's family has a background in construction, and her father suggested she learn a skill set in the industry. While researching new careers, she discovered an opportunity to join Melvin John Electrical Contracting Ltd. as an apprentice through JTL. A typical week would involve four days of on-the-tools learning and one day in the classroom. Four years later, Samantha successfully completed her apprenticeship, and she has never looked back.

With hindsight, Samantha notes that during secondary school, apprenticeships were never promoted as much as college or university education. Instead, the consensus in her year group was that an apprenticeship was a "back-up plan" if one did not achieve the right grades for university.

“I would like the perception of apprenticeships to change,” she said, “and to promote the benefits or learning a valuable skill set, as well as earning while you learn!”

Formative projects

Throughout her career at Melvin John, Samantha has worked on a range of domestic, commercial, and industrial electrical projects. However, as a company director, she now predominantly works on the design and fabrication of control panels for large and small steam and hot water generators, including full electrical installations, inspection, testing and commissioning of boiler plant rooms.

“I feel fortunate that my role covers a wide range of electrical work,” Samantha said. “this has been crucial in my development as an electrician. Each sector has its challenges that force you to learn and adapt.”

Staying Up to Date 

Few industries change as quickly and continually as the electrotechnical sector. In the last decade, low carbon technology and energy efficient installations in particular have become a core part of many contractors’ work. Staying up to date with the latest developments, Standards and Regulations can be a major challenge.

“This line of work revolves around continuous learning,” says Samantha. “As a company, we subscribe to a few different platforms for CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and I often refer to magazines such as ECAtoday, Connections and The IET for additional in-depth knowledge.”

Working in a male-dominated environment

For Samantha, working in a male-dominated environment has not been a major issue – except, over many years, for the perennial lack of restroom facilities for women on-site. “On occasion I have been left with no choice but to ask a male colleague to chaperone me to the men's facilities, or to walk long distances in search of something more appropriate” she said.

Samantha's experience highlights the practical and cultural challenges that women still face while working in a male-dominated industry, and the need for site awareness and proper facilities for both men and women on-site.

However, the picture has certainly changed since Samantha began her electrical career 11 years ago. “I did not meet another female electrician in person for the first three years of my apprenticeship,” she said. “I have always enjoyed working alongside my male counterparts, but it’s been great to see more women joining our ranks and bringing their often unique qualities to the table.”

“I believe attitudes towards women in the sector are changing. The Female Apprentice Ambassador program that I was a part of has helped to raise the profile of women in the industry and to promote apprenticeships. Initiatives like this can have a huge impact on the perceptions of women thinking about a career in construction and, more specifically, the electrotechnical sector.”

Learn more about routes into an electrical career by visiting the electrical careers website.