WHEN electrician Lauren Griffiths knocks on customers' doors, they're often taken aback initially to discover their sparky is a woman.
However the 21-year-old absolutely loves her work, and is on a mission to show it's not just a man's job – even though the trade industry is still heavily male-dominated.
A report by tradesperson directory Checkatrade.com recently highlighted eight out of 10 construction workers identify as male, and nine out of 10 construction apprentice positions are filled by young men.
Which is why 'trade influencer' Lauren Griffiths, 21, from Flintshire, North Wales, wants to speak out to encourage more women to consider a career as an electrician.
She posts on Instagram under the name @electricsbyloz, and has been a fully qualified electrician for one year after undergoing a five year apprenticeship.
She says: "Not a day goes by where a knock on a customer's door and they say, 'oh I wasn’t expecting a female' and proceed to ask how I got into it and ask how I find it, which I love.
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"Almost everyone is surprised and filled with questions, good and bad.
"It’s great to educate people on how it’s not a man’s job!"
A bright spark
Growing up, Lauren was inspired by her family to go into a hands-on trade.
She says: "My family is largely trades based and I grew up helping my dad with odd jobs and helping my siblings renovate their houses.
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Through the work I did with my dad I knew electrics was something that sparked my intrigue, and it was a massive part of my life I knew I enjoyed.
"Then, when my big sister became a plumber she really inspired me to take up a trade.
"I decided to go for an apprenticeship at a large company that already had female engineers and did this straight from high school at 16."
'I love doing something different every day'
From there, Lauren has never looked back – and loves that no two days are ever the same.
Now, she travels all over, completing a whole range of different jobs.
She says: "I love being able to do something different and be somewhere different every single day, from domestic work to industrial.
"My apprenticeship set me up to be able to do it all."
Stopped in the street & shouted at
While Lauren loves her work, and wouldn't change it for the world, she admits sometimes people can be rude or insulting.
Lauren says: “Many people are very positive, and I love the feedback from customers after I visit.
"I've been told I’ve inspired peoples' daughters, the classic 'good on you' and the ultimate compliment is customers asking for you back specifically.
"However, I never forget the negative comments, including being stopped in the street for a man to shout, 'a female electrician, what has the world come to'.
"Most people are negative without even realising it, often second guessing me, asking if I’m sure I’m capable or if I can lift heavy things.
"Often the female toilets on site are used as storage, and I have to ask for them to be cleared out.”
Constructive comments
Thankfully, the negative comments and aspects to the job are few and far between, and Lauren's company are working hard to create an equal opportunities workplace.
Lauren says: "With working for a large, very supportive company that currently has multiple female engineers, not just electricians, day to day I don’t feel like I’m the only woman.
"Once I get on site it’s noticeable, but again mostly everyone wants to ask questions."
Lauren's not the only one striving for change, either.
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Female builder Georgia Harper is also determined to break down old, outdated stereotypes that come with the building industry, and inspire more women to pursue a career in construction.
However she does also admit people are still often quite surprised when she tells them what she does, and when she turns up to sites.
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