Did you know just 4.8% of workers are women in the painting and decorating sector?
In this article, painting and decorating contractor Bagnalls has interviewed five women in different roles at the company to discuss their experiences, challenges and wins within the sector.
Ranging from senior management roles to trainees, five Bagnalls employees have provided unique insights into working in the painting and decorating sector …
Key takeaways:
- “My Mum had wanted to be a joiner when she was younger but was told it wasn’t appropriate for her as a woman – but for me, I had a lot more support going in. My Mum was really happy to see me pursue my chosen career in a way she had never been able to.”
- “In 2016, I became the first female on Bagnalls’ board of directors in its 145-year history.”
- “Competitors complained that I would be named the winner because I was the ‘token’ female… I suggested that all names be removed from our work when the judges were scoring them, meaning that gender couldn’t play a role in our performance. I was there to win on the basis of my skill and didn’t want to give my critics grounds to find fault should I win.”
- “I occasionally receive sweeping statements or surprised reactions when people find out that a woman will be managing their project – I prove with time on the job what I’m capable of.”
- “The impact of my work was that our staff and customers remained safe throughout and Bagnalls carried on its legacy of responsible work despite the challenges the past year has brought.”
- “Don’t pre-judge what opportunities there are; the roles for women are vast. With the right training and development, you can become the supervisors, managers and even directors of the future.”
The Rise of Women in Decorating: Five Women in the Sector Provide Insight
Although 60,972 more women joined the construction industry between 2009 and 2019, CareerSmart data shows that women make up just 4.8% of painters and decorators.
Despite the industry being traditionally male-dominated, progress is coming to the sector slowly but surely. National painting and decorating contractor Bagnalls recently sat down with five of their female employees, ranging from managerial roles to trainees, to discuss their experiences and insights in the sector.