Ahead of International Women's Day on 8 March, SELECT, Scotland's largest construction trade association, is calling for more young women to consider the electrotechnical industry as a rewarding and lucrative career path.

The campaigning body believes that prospective recruits should be inspired by the recent achievements of Ellis Stevenson, who made history in December as the UK's first-ever female SkillELECTRIC champion.

Industry figures reveal that the number of young women training as electricians in Scotland has doubled over the last ten years. While female apprentices currently account for approximately 2% of learners, SELECT notes that this growth is reflected within its own leadership; three out of five senior management positions at the association are now held by women.

Sharon Miller, Managing Director Designate at SELECT, commented: "As we celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week (March 2-6) and look forward to International Women's Day, it is fitting that we salute the steady rise in young women like Ellis seeking success in our sector.

-- Advertisement --

"Many women who have completed the Modern Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation have gone on to build rewarding careers across the industry, not only as working electricians but in roles such as managers, business owners and academia. Attracting and retaining more women to our sector is vital to addressing the current skills gap."

The association pointed to the success of 22-year-old Ellis Stevenson, an employee of Elgin-based SELECT member firm Campbell & McHardy Ltd, as a prime example of female excellence in the trade.

Catherine Gillon, Director of Employment Affairs at SELECT and Secretary of the Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), said: "Ellis is a shining example of a woman rising to the top in her chosen career path and success stories like hers prove just how far we have come as a nation when it comes to encouraging and nurturing young female talent."

The trend is also viewed as a shift in how the sector is perceived as a lifestyle choice. Jenny Petrie, Director of Finance at SELECT, noted that apprenticeships provide substantial rewards and allow electricians to make a significant social contribution to the country's transition toward electrification and net zero.

In addition to the female executives at SELECT, the industry is further supported by Fiona Harper, who was appointed Chief Executive of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT) in March 2024. Sharon Miller added that while the proportion of female apprentices remains low compared to their male counterparts, the impact of women in this traditionally male-dominated field continues to grow.