Procure Plus: Uncovering Future Career Pathways

Breaking through barriers for Women and Manual Trades

Construction continues to face a gender employment gap, with just 2% of women working in manual trade roles. Women are still facing barriers that prevent them from accessing careers within the construction and building trades, often feeling that the industry is out of reach.

Women and Manual Trades (WaMT), part of Procure Plus's subsidiary charity, is on a mission to alter this perception and make women the norm in the industry, not the exception.

Skye is a prime example of how WaMT supports women into the trades. The construction industry had always appealed to Skye, who was keen to challenge the gender divide. Confident that she had the dedication and drive required, she was set on becoming a gas engineer.

However, when she applied for the gas engineering course at Leeds College of Building, she faced an immediate barrier: the course required her to have a relevant employer in place before she could enrol. Without one, she was placed onto the plumbing course instead – a path she lacked passion for.

Determined not to give up on her chosen career, she applied to countless gas engineering apprenticeships but heard nothing back. The silence left her feeling ignored, discouraged, and unsure of how to move forward.

But this all changed when she was introduced to WaMT.

Through its partnership with Leeds College of Building, WaMT provided Skye with access to their 3:2 Programme, which is designed for women training in construction without current employment.

The initiative provides students with two days of work per week alongside three days of studies, with employment with a contractor in their chosen trade. The work is paid at minimum wage or higher, includes support from a mentor or tradesperson on-site, and is followed by a pathway to an apprenticeship or employment at the end of the diploma.

Skye finally had the right support she needed to make her dream a reality.

The 3:2 Programme helped Skye build her skills and experience so she could confidently take the next step. After being introduced to SureServe, a major provider of energy services, she quickly secured a gas engineer apprenticeship with them.

Skye is now completing her course and gaining invaluable work experience. She has even signed up for a women-only plumbing competition to expand her technical skills, meet like-minded women, and grow her professional network.

WaMT's partnership with Leeds College of Building was created to provide women like Skye with practical training and experience, as well as to demonstrate to employers the value of hiring women and creating visible role models for the next generation.

Speaking about the initiative, Skye said:

“I would absolutely recommend the 3:2 Programme. It not only prepares you for college and exams but also gives you a real insight into what working in the industry is actually like.

“WaMT supported me every step of the way, from helping with my CV and mock interviews to preparing me for the apprenticeship.

“Meg felt like my guardian angel, always checking in, asking for updates, and even attending my onboarding with me. I had applied for so many apprenticeships before and never heard anything back, so without Meg, I don’t think I would have ever secured one.”

Megan Lee, Employment and Training Manager for WaMT, spent 12 years in the British Army and subsequently worked in a Category A men’s prison before joining WaMT and leading the programme.

With her wealth of experience, Megan’s goal is to empower more women into construction careers, which she does both through wider industry initiatives and tailored one-on-one support.

“Women have so much to offer the construction industry, but too often they face unnecessary barriers to entry and progression,” said Megan.

“Having spent my career in male-dominated environments, I understand these challenges personally – but I also know they can be overcome with the right support. I’m passionate about making trades more accessible to women and ensuring they have the opportunities, training, and confidence to succeed.

“Procure Plus is already doing fantastic work in this space, and I’m excited to help drive real change and open more doors for women in the industry.”

For more information about WaMT, visit https://wamt.procure-plus.com/ or contact Megan Lee at [email protected] or 07747 615 343.

About Procure Plus

Procure Plus is a not-for-profit company supporting social housing providers with procurement solutions that deliver exceptional value and transparency. Established by the housing sector for the housing sector, Procure Plus pairs market expertise with a commitment to social impact, reinvesting surpluses into employment and training opportunities for local communities.