Is social media the new way to plug the gender skills gap?

[edit] Introduction

On International Women in Engineering day (23 June 2021), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) asks, does social media break down the gender divide for female apprentices?

[edit] Social media and career development

In the case of Tianna, an apprentice from Birmingham, her social media network has been a lifeline during the 2020/2021 pandemic lockdown.

“Without a doubt, ours is the fastest changing industry there is”, says Eddie Clemmens of Pegasus Electrical, who has been a practising electrician for 35 years. Pegasus is based just off Junction 2 of the M5 in the West Midlands.

During the pandemic, Eddie was active on Twitter and later Instagram, posting photos of his electrical systems. He gained a large following of apprentices interested in his images. Many were on furlough, and while able to continue their studies, their opportunities for hands on experience were limited. The photos of circuits were a great way to learn things they were not seeing in real time.

[edit] Tianna's story

Like many in the industry, he is concerned the sector, which already has a skills shortage, will lose a generation of new talent unable to pass practical exams because they’ve not been in a work environment. He believes the trade must find new ways to plug the skills gap, saying, “it will be a long haul to regain the quality of practical skills lost this year, unless we support each other now”.

One of his Instagram followers is a woman called Tianna, known as Tee. She is in the fourth year of her apprenticeship.

Tee saw Eddie’s photo of conduit bender instructions and messaged him directly. She was desperate to get the hands on experience of conduit bending to complete her practical exam, AM2.

Eddie had a brainwave: he decided to speak with one of his wholesalers, Edmundson Electrical in Wolverhampton, who were happy to help. They supplied Eddie with a conduit bender, complete with conduit and boxes at cost price. This was delivered to Tee, free of charge, and #AM2LoanRangers was born.

Tee was pleased to be a guinea pig for the new idea. She tested the kit for a couple of weeks, but it was soon in demand by other apprentices. It was clear the board must be portable and include a range of bending skills needed for both the AM2 and the real world.

Demand for the practice board has been largely driven by social media. There is a waiting list for the upgraded practice board and kit, which goes on loan for two or three weeks. But Tee will get the equipment back before her AM2 to ensure she gains the skills to pass the test.

Tee said it has been great working with Eddie, and if it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have got through the last year.

“He’s made me, practice, practice, practice. As a woman in a mostly male industry, I need to be on top of my game and have experience of all types of wiring I might be faced with. When I started out, someone told me I’d never make it, but I’m determined to prove them wrong”.

Eddie has made Tee see there is a vast array of electrical opportunities ahead of her. When Tee finishes her apprenticeship, she plans to work in the growing field of installing electric vehicle charging points.

[edit] Skills updates

As a lifelong learner himself, Eddie knows the importance of keeping up to date with his trade. He is a member of ECA who he says has has opened his eyes to the rapid shift that is taking place as technology changes the way electricians work. He also observed that the ECA technical team are second to none.

“You can ring them up and ask them anything, no question is too small. Unlimited access to the technical helpline is worth the subs alone”.

Tee added, when she owns her own firm, she is going to join ECA. She says, ”It’s been brilliant for me, and one day I’d like to help someone the way Eddie has helped me.”

If you’d like to find out more about borrowing the kit or starting a similar scheme, you can find Eddie on Twitter or on LinkedIn.

This article was written by ECA and published on 23 June 2021.

--ECA

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• Construction apprenticeships.
• ECA apprentice secondment service.
• EIC apprentice support programme.
• Electrician.
• International Women in Engineering Day 2020.
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• Women in Construction – the critical solution to a skills shortage.