The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has been training two sisters at a Scottish training centre.

The women, Kelly Hay (28) and Connory Hay (21) from Double Kwik Scaffolding Ltd in Methil, Fife, are both enrolled as scaffolding apprentices with the National Construction College Scotland (NCC) at Inchinnan.

Speaking about her background in the industry, Kelly said both herself and her sister are employed as apprentices by their father, William J F Hay at Double Kwik Ltd.

She explained: "We are the fourth generation of scaffolders in our family and I started working in the business aged 18. I soon realised I wouldn’t be able to price for work if I didn’t know what type of scaffold would be needed and what the job was for – so I thought I should get the proper training and work my way up.


"My instructors were fantastic. They saw me as a person –not male or female – and they taught me really well. No matter how long you have been doing scaffolding – one year or 10 years – I think there’s always more to learn at a CISRS college."

Ms Hay added that the two had learned about health and safety issues, the correct procedures for the construction and dismantling of scaffold as well as how to work as a team.

Being a woman in the industry, she said she felt she had more to prove being "a woman in a man's job", but revealed: "It's not that common for a woman to be in the scaffolding industry. But I hope I show that a woman can do the job, if fully committed. I feel I can work really well with male scaffolders – once they realise I really can do it. I have 10 years experience now but I am not afraid to ask questions, as there are still many things I'm learning."

Ms Hay said she hopes to run her father's business as her own company in the future.

(JP/CD)