Women in the Gas Industry

Women in the Gas Industry

‘It’s more welcoming than anywhere I worked before’

Amid a shortage of gas engineers, Belfast-based Complete ConstructionTraining Services Ltd (CCTS) is supporting a push to get more women into the trade. Ireland’s Plumbing & Heating Magazine talks to two candidates currently completing its Gas Safe Register certification training, Danielle Dawson and Regina Bradley:

REGINA BRADLEY

What did you do before?
I left school when I was 16 and worked inkitchens for almost 20 years.

What made you decide to get into gas servicing?
I was just looking for a change and a course came up in the tech which seemed like something completely different. I started the course, enjoyed it and that’s how I found out about CCTS and went to do my training there.

How was your CCTS training experience?
It was great. You do the theory part at the CCTS training centre and then go out on placement to do the practical side. I did my placement with the H&A Group alongside a gas engineer.

Has the trade been welcoming to Women?
It’s more welcoming than anywhere Iworked before. I get a lot of commentsabout it being great to see a woman in the trade. I find in this industry what you see is what you get, there’s no bitchiness
and it’s a great environment. I love it, Iwish I had done it years ago.

What’s next for you?
I’m just finishing up a few other commitments and then I plan to take up the Job I've been offered as a gas engineer.

DANIELLE DAWSON 

What did you do before?
I left 25 years ago went straight into healthcare and qualified as a manger eight years ago.

What made you decide to get into gas servicing?
During the pandemic, I began to think about other job options and initially started training as a tiler. Then a gas engineer came out to fix my boiler, and I found it fascinating. I’m a firm believer in the universe giving you signs and, just as I was looking into the CCTS course, I got a call from a lady in one of our assisted living properties who couldn’t get her heating on. I knew she needed a Gas Safe Register engineer and, as a very caring person, that was the moment I realised it could give me job.

How was your CCTS training experience?

Really good, all the trainers have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are so helpful.

Has the trade been welcoming to Women?
I was worried but Regina reassured me,and it turns out they’re crying out for females to get into this line of work. You can almost see people relax when you come into their home because you’re a
woman. If there are women out there who are practical have thought about it, I would say just try it because what is there to lose. My experience has been 100%positive.

What’s next for you?

Once I finish my exams and certification with Gas Safe Register, I will be joining my mentor to work at A Class Gas in Belfast.

Contact CCTS for further information on
its accredited training, assessment and
certification services in gas, oil, electrical,
renewables and health & safety:
T: +44 (0)28 9073 9418
E: info@cctrainingservices.com
www.cctrainingservices.com