This International Women’s Day, NAPIT are celebrating women in the electrical industry and hope to encourage more women and girls to consider careers in the industry. ‘Accelerating Action’ is the theme of International Women’s Day 2025, taking place on March 8th.
Significant barriers to gender equality remain, yet with the right action and support, positive progress can be made for women everywhere. It’s important women in STEM have their voices heard.
Sharing women’s experiences can encourage other young girls and women to step into the electrical industry, expand their skills set and open more doors for the next generation of female electricians.
Women at NAPIT share their experiences in the electrical industry.
Wendy, Electrical Lecturer at NAPIT, said her experience in the electrical industry has been ‘wonderful’. Wendy was 15 years old when she began her career journey after securing an electrical apprenticeship and found herself as the only female on a building site.
She emphasised that she did not let any challenges stop her from being a ‘good spark’.
“It’s been a wonderful experience for me. I would highly recommend getting into the industry to anybody that is mechanically minded. Don’t be put off by the prejudice of people when you go on site.
“Once you know your game, then you will command the respect that you need and stick with it. Never give up because it’s a fantastic industry to be in and there’s no difference between being a male electrician and a female electrician in regard to ability.”
After five years, Wendy completed her apprenticeship and became a self-employed female electrician for a few years. She moved into the industrial heating and vent industry and then took on a role as an electrical tutor.
In September 2023 NAPIT welcomed Wendy to the team.
She explained that being an electrical tutor has its mental challenges compared to being on the tools which is more physically draining. She shares how fulfilling it is teaching the training courses at NAPIT.
She said: “I teach a varied range of courses, which is fantastic. I’m totally thrilled when the candidates that come through enjoy the course and want to do a return visit.
“To see somebody understand and get what you’re talking about and see that little light behind their eyes is such a buzz for me. When people shake my hand and say what an amazing course it’s been and how much they’ve enjoyed it and they can’t wait to come back for another course, is fantastic.”
Tendai, Electrical Training Lecturer at NAPIT, began her journey in Zimbabwe where she completed an apprenticeship and became a qualified electrician. After moving to the UK in 2003, Tendai qualified as a maths teacher and taught maths in secondary schools but her passion for the electrical industry remained.
Although she is a qualified electrician, she faced challenges due to organisations wanting electrical experience in the UK. Tendai, then did a degree in electrical and electronics between 2014 and 2017.
After finishing her degree, she became a Controls Systems Engineer and then began teaching at a local college. Tendai joined NAPIT in November 2023.
Advising other women who are considering a career in the industry, she said: “Focus on your goals and do everything to the best of your ability. Keep learning and improving yourself.
“As women, we often face higher expectations, with people wondering, ‘Can she do it?’ But don’t let that deter you, stay focused on what you want, be true to yourself, and enjoy what you do.”
She emphasised how proud she is of her journey, designing and building a pressure tester for a project and taking on her degree while being a mother and a wife.
“I’m proud that while being a wife and a mother, I was able to become an electrical engineer.”