Sophie proves plumbing career doesn't need to be a pipe dream for under-represented females

As a female looking to break into a traditionally male-dominated industry while balancing her childcare duties as a single mother and returning to education as an older student with a dyslexia diagnosis, there were potential blockages.

But firing on all cylinders during her York College vocational course and subsequent apprenticeship saw Sophie, 25, recognised with our prestigious Principal’s Prize in June - a great moment that she was able to share with six-year-old daughter Daisy. 

“It was nice to bring Daisy with me and for her to see that you can be who you want to be and get to where you want to go - she also loved all the tool-shaped biscuits on the tables!” Sophie laughed.

Having originally come to College in her teens, Sophie cut short her plumbing studies when she fell pregnant.

She went on to set up her own cleaning business, but decided she wanted to return to Campus four years ago and pursue a pathway into plumbing again, enrolling on our Level 2 course.

“As long as you have got a goal, it doesn’t matter when you reach it,” she reasoned. “I’ve always wanted to do something hands-on and my family are in all the other trades, so I wanted to do something different to them.

“I’m very glad that I picked plumbing. It was quite scary at first being in College as I was older and there were a lot of younger people, but it was a lot scarier in my head than it actually was.”

Assistance from College staff, meanwhile, helped Sophie manage financial and childcare concerns and she kept a couple of her cleaning contracts, too.

She was also provided with dyslexia support and went on to excel academically, achieving an average of 75% in her Level 2 exams, before passing all of her apprenticeship phased exams with merits and completing her eight written gas papers with 100% pass marks.   

“I qualified for free childcare and I got free car parking as well, so they were big factors in me being able to start the course,” Sophie pointed out. “College have also been very understanding if I’ve had to miss a lesson when my daughter was ill. 

“For my dyslexia, I retook my English GCSE and a member of staff helped me with my reading. We read a lot of plumbing books together, which also helped improve my plumbing knowledge.”

Changing industry perceptions of female plumbers has taken persistence, too.

Women still only represent 2.4% of the nationwide workforce but Sophie has received glowing praise from her employers Ebor Plumbing & Heating and is heartened by the knowledge that she is not the only woman from her College cohort to be making progress in the profession.

“When I was looking for an apprenticeship, I contacted lots of plumbers and, eventually, got an email back from my boss Chris,” she said. “The first thing he asked me was if I could lift a boiler over my head. 

“I did that and he put me on probation first before offering me the chance to do the apprenticeship. I was the fifth apprentice he’d had. 

“The others had all been males and he has told me that I am the one who has really stood out. One of my friends Lyla, who is from the same course as me, is also doing really well with her employers and we chat regularly.”

Plumbing apprentices at College finetune their skills in workshops where the facilities and tools mirror those of a real-life setting, with Sophie adding that her time on Campus has complemented what she is learning on site. 

“When I first came back, College was great to get me used to using the tools,” she explained. “I’d never really used any tools before, so I really liked learning how to use them.

“I also enjoyed learning how to solder. Pipe bending is another skill that I have really practiced and learned at College. 

“You don’t really get the chance to do that with your employers because copper piping is expensive. The tutors at College are great, too. 

“Jake (Tildesley) is not much older than me and has completed an apprenticeship himself not too long ago, so it has been really helpful getting advice from him and hearing about his experiences.”

A mixture of domestic jobs and on-site work – often alongside other contracted companies – has enabled Sophie to acquire a broad knowledge of what a career in the industry entails.

Sophie’s manager Chris Jackson, who is also the owner of Ebor Plumbing & Heating, admits that he did initially have reservations about employing a female in a male-dominated industry, but would have no such doubts now, having seen the impact she has made on his business.

He said: “Sophie has a brilliant work ethic, is always punctual and, more importantly to our business, is very driven. When Sophie came for an interview with us, I had my doubts to be honest. 

“Would a female fit into a male-dominated role? Is she going to be strong enough being 5ft 2in and petite? Would she manage site banter, etc?

“So, I got straight to the point of asking Sophie to lift an old boiler, which she carried out with ease. At first, we took Soph on a two-month trial and she has proven to be a decent contributor to the company, going from strength to strength after four years.

“Would I recommend more plumbing companies employ females now? Yes, sure, they are no different from a male employee and numerous customers – both new and old - have mentioned that it’s comforting to have a female working in their home.

“Sophie is more than capable of looking after herself in a male-dominated role. She is an independent and determined female who will not stop short of what she needs to do to reach her goals. 

“She is a single mother too and has a very good network of friends and family who are there for her when needed, which helps enormously with a full-time job.”

To learn more about our Level 2 Diploma in Plumbing Studies, please click here

Further information on our Level 3 Plumbing & Domestic Heating Technician Apprenticeship can be found here

For a full list of our latest apprenticeship vacancies, visit here

If you would like to meet our expert team of tutors, discuss any of our courses with them and view our facilities, then please consider our next Open Event on Tuesday 7th October (5.30pm-8pm). Register a place here