Blazing a trail for young women in the electrical industry

This summer, electrical student Remi Newman has two reasons to celebrate. 

Firstly, Remi won a London-wide Electrician of the Year competition and secondly, she was offered an apprenticeship by contest sponsor and ECA Member Essex Services Group (ESG).

Remi, a student on the Level 2 Electrical Installations course at ECA Educational Associate New City College, went up against 10 other female trainees and tradeswomen in an International Women’s Day competition, sponsored by ESG and hosted at Lewisham College.

People are always shocked when I tell them what I want to do, but I enjoy it and it’s so rewarding

The 16-year-old from Dagenham did exceptionally well to take the title as she faced competitors of a high standard, including apprentices and some who are already working in the industry.

Remi commented: “It’s been crazy! People and companies on social media are recognising me since I won. I feel like I have proved to myself that I am good at what I do, and I am capable of doing it.

“I’m obviously in a male-dominated industry and I did think I would come up against problems, but I honestly haven’t. I would recommend every girl who’s interested in the industry to just go for it.

“People are always shocked when I tell them what I want to do, but I enjoy it and it’s so rewarding. We still have a way to go in terms of stereotypes of women in a trade, however I like to prove their perceptions wrong. The industry is changing. Women now have their own work clothes, and there are facilities for women on worksites.”

On the day of the competition, entrants took part in an industry-standard technical challenge within a strict time limit. Their finished work was judged by a panel of qualified and experienced professionals.

Remi added: “[The challenge] was quite involved and took a while. We were given a small diagram and left to our own devices, working out measurements and scaling up the job.

“I didn’t expect to win at all, the others were highly skilled. I just thought it would be a good experience!”

Remi sees the offer of the apprenticeship with ESG as the icing on the cake. “They contacted me the next day,” she said, “and I’ve already been on site to gain experience with them, which was great.”

Remi’s win was a triumph for the women at New City College

“The most difficult part of choosing a career as an electrician was the idea of working in a male-dominated industry and the thought that there might not be many females working alongside me. Winning the ESG International Women’s Day competition was an incredible feeling, but the experience of meeting so many hard-working women, with the same ambitions as me, was even better.” 

According to Remi’s tutor Simon Horrocks, “Remi’s win was a triumph for the women at New City College. She was very nervous to start with, but once she got settled, she showed just how good she is. Her work was of a very high standard, and this shone through. In addition, the prizes were excellent. She won so many I think she may have struggled getting them all home!”

Head of Rainham Construction and Engineering Centre, Catherine Foley, added, “I am incredibly proud of Remi. She is a role model for other young females aspiring to get into what is still a male-dominated industry and her hard work and dedication has proved itself.”

Following her win, Remi has her sights set high for the future. “After my apprenticeship I want to continue working as an electrician,” she said. “However, I would like to enrol in a business course to gain a better understanding of the workings of a business, and one day become an electrical supervisor or manager.”

To learn more about electrical careers and the paths available to school leavers and career-switchers, visit www.electricalcareers.co.uk 

To learn more about ECA Educational Associates and to enquire about becoming an Associate Member, visit www.eca.co.uk/join-the-eca/industry-trainers-educators-(1)