Success Stories

Click on the links below to see inspirational success stories and testimonials.

Elise Horsfield
Tracy Grant
Nicola Poulton-White

Testimonies & Articles from Trades Women

We are occasionally sent testimonies and articles from women in the trades.

A personal reflection by Shelia Standard of WOPSAT (pdf document)
"Alice in the workshop" by Shelia Standard of WOPSAT (pdf document).

Case Studies of Women in Working & Training in Science, Engineering & Construction

Caroline
Claire
Diane
Julie
Yvonne

The rationale behind the compilation of this collection of case studies is to provide both consolation and inspiration to women working in, or considering entry to, a non traditional career in which women have, in the past, been under represented. The five women in the studies have all, at one time or another, experienced difficulties in one or more aspects of their working lives: for example with their recruitment and selection, with their college attendance in male dominated classes, or with their relationships with colleagues in the work place. However, they have all shown perseverance and determination to both cope with and overcome these difficulties, and have all, as a result, achieved various degrees of success in their different fields.

It is therefore my intention that if you are also employed in a non traditional occupation and experiencing similar problems, that you will be able to draw comfort from the thought that others have also "gone through it", and inspiration to surmount these difficulties in the same way that they have. If, on the other hand, you have not finally decided on your career area, but are drawn to work and train in a non traditional occupation, I hope that you will be urged to "take the plunge" and not let potential obstacles come between you and your dream.

The case studies also attempt to explain what drew the women to these non traditional work areas in the first place. For some, this was success in relevant school subjects, for others enjoyment of related spare time interests; but all of the women received support and encouragement from significant people in their lives, be they family, friends, school, training provider or college staff, or work colleagues. Obviously, the factors that have influenced the women in their choice of career vary with each individual.

In the same way, the paths they have chosen in order to train for, and gain experience in, their chosen careers, are not necessarily the only possibilities. They are only examples of possible routes into the various jobs, and there will almost certainly be a variety of alternatives available to other women.

Helen Collier - UK Resource Centre