WIT, now established as the only national, annual event for all tradeswomen runs in the first week of July, this year on 4th July and returns in 2024 to The Great Hall, at London Metropolitan University.
Tickets were ‘soft launched’ to private tradeswomen’s groups last Thursday and well over a quarter of the 200 available have already been claimed, confirming its growing popularity.
WIT started life seven years ago as a small event for women plumbers and heating installers to help overcome the isolation they, at around 1% of the plumbing workforce, experience. Women in other trades, who experience the same lack of representation, approached the organisers and it is now open to all skilled tradeswomen, including women in construction and female trades trainees/apprentices. Local networking events are now in the pipeline with the first in Manchester on the afternoon of 22nd Feb.
Funded by sponsorship from a small number of companies committed to supporting the growth of genuine inclusivity in the sector, the event is devised to bring tradeswomen together and features speakers and activities to bring women together.
“Although the numbers of tradeswomen and trainees is growing, this event is not about numbers or footfall” says Mica May who as a director of Stopcocks Group Limited, organises the event
“We create the space for tradeswomen to connect with one another, which is an extremely rare opportunity for them and to meet and build relationships with representatives of suppliers, manufacturers, colleges and so on, who’re interested in helping develop an environment in our industry that listens to all the voices in it, that recognises that building an inclusive culture benefits everyone and is prepared to hear what women need for it to be created quickly and effectively.
Truthbomb alert!
Imagine what it’s like to go through your week and never to see anyone who looks like you or whose body functions like yours, doing what you do. Protective clothing doesn’t protect because it doesn’t fit, health and safety regulations often endanger you because you’re smaller than most of the people who were considered when they were developed and you can’t get into a toilet or when you do, it’s too filthy to use. All these issues contribute to our low numbers, as well as the lack of role models and assumptions from some that we’re not up to the job. When we’re actually doing a great job as well as dealing with a whole load of extra issues every day (and that is before we’ve organised childcare).
This is the reality for most women working in skilled trades in UK right now. We’re appreciative of the chance to get together and talk about what’s important to us whether that’s neurodiversity, finding out more about energy efficiency, training opportunities, leadership, bookkeeping, the most exciting tools or finally finding comfortable work boots that fit and really work for work.”
The event is attended by skilled tradeswomen, self-employed and in jobs (or looking for work) and trainees/apprentices. Employers are actively encouraged to support tradeswomen and apprentices to attend. Overcoming isolation helps prevent attrition, keeping committed and highly skilled workers in your workforce. It prevents sick days and actively increases wellness and ability to contribute as well as saving on your recruitment budget.
Tickets are free for all tradeswomen and available at a small fee for others here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wit-2024-tickets-828453967117
For a sponsorship brochure contact us here: mica.may@stopcocks.uk
And for a video from last year’s event go here https://stopcocks.uk/conference/
