The Demand for Tradeswomen is on the Rise 

For decades, hands-on trades such as plumbing, electrical work and construction have been dominated by men. But this picture is slowly changing. Not only are more women entering these roles, but consumers are also showing a growing preference for hiring female contractors. 

Research from tradespeople search platform My Local Toolbox highlights just how much demand has increased in recent years. Let’s look at the stats, the reasons behind the shift, and what this means for the future of women in the trades. 

Growing consumer interest in female tradespeople 

Online searches give a useful snapshot of what customers want. Data shows big increases in search terms like: 

• “Lady plumber near me” (+450% year-on-year) 

• “Lady painter and decorator near me” (+125%) 

• “Female carpenter near me” (+100%) 

These aren’t small jumps – they show a clear trend. Homeowners are actively seeking out tradeswomen, and this presents an opportunity for women to build careers in what’s still seen as a male-dominated sector. 

Are there enough tradeswomen to meet demand? 

Here’s where the challenge lies. Although 96% of homeowners say they’d be happy to hire a female tradesperson, just 4% of the UK’s trade workforce is currently made up of women. 

Breakdown by sector shows: 

• Gardening & landscaping: 17% women 

• Painting & decorating: 4% women 

• Bricklaying, roofing, tiling: less than 1% women 

Clearly, demand is rising faster than the supply of qualified female contractors. 

Why do some customers prefer tradeswomen? 

A Federation of Master Builders poll found that 38% of London homeowners felt more positive about hiring a tradeswoman than a male equivalent. The reasons were varied, but telling: 

• 61% thought female tradespeople would be more respectful of their home 

• 50% wanted to support women in non-traditional careers 

• 42% believed women would be more trustworthy 

• 39% felt more at ease with a female tradesperson 

• 34% expected them to be friendlier 

• 33% valued women’s attention to detail 

• 26% simply preferred female company 

• 16% thought it would be a welcome novelty 

These insights underline how perception and lived experience both influence consumer choice. 

The future of women in trades 

While growth has been steady rather than explosive, apprenticeship enrolments by women in construction-related roles are trending upwards. This, alongside shifting c onsumer attitudes, suggests that the gender gap will continue to narrow in the coming years. 

More visibility of female success stories, alongside practical training opportunities, will be key to speeding this up. 

Encouraging more women into electrical work 

To boost the number of women in trades, particularly in electrics, a few things need to happen: 

• Awareness in schools – female-centric activities and education around apprenticeships 

• Tackling the pay gap – ONS data shows women in skilled construction roles were paid £536 per week in 2022; parity with men would make roles more attractive 

• Promoting flexibility – highlighting how trades careers can support women returning to work after maternity or career breaks 

• Accessible training – offering retraining routes that don’t require a university degree 

For women looking to break into electrics, the opportunities are there. Training provides flexible routes, on-the-job learning, and a career that can be both financially rewarding and personally fulfilling. 

Get started with Elec Training 

If you’re thinking about retraining as an electrician, explore these options with us: 

• Electrician Courses Great Barr 

• Electrician Courses Royal Leamington Spa 

You can also build essential safety knowledge through our Asbestos Lesson 6 and Asbestos Lesson 7 modules. 

At Elec Training, we’re committed to supporting everyone who wants to enter the trade – whether you’re starting fresh, retraining, or looking to specialise. 

Why is demand for female tradespeople increasing in the UK? 

Demand for female tradespeople in the UK is surging in 2025 due to a severe skills shortage (225,000 more needed by 2027), homeowner preferences for respectful, less i ntimidating service, and a push for diversity amid net-zero retrofits. A 2025 Telegraph report notes booming business for tradeswomen as clients seek “neater, more respectful” pros, with 96% of homeowners open to hiring them and searches up 450% for “lady plumber near me.” Economic benefits include higher customer satisfaction (10-15% above men) and untapped talent filling gaps in electrical and construction. Elec Training sees this as a key opportunity, with its flexible courses attracting more women to meet rising calls for green installs. 

What percentage of the UK trade workforce is currently made up of women? 

As of 2025, women comprise just 2% of the UK’s skilled trades workforce, particularly in construction and electrical sectors, despite overall female employment at 71.8% across industries—down 18% in skilled trades over the past decade. This stark gap persists in male-dominated fields like electrical (1.73%) and carpentry (0.99%), contrasting with 27.6% in broader STEM. Elec Training’s initiatives aim to boost this, with targeted programs helping women enter the field amid the 2% stagnation. 

Which trade sectors have the highest proportion of women working in them? 

In 2025, the highest proportions of women in UK trade sectors are in health and social work (22% of female jobs), beauty and hairdressing (over 90% female-dominated), and childcare (95%), but within skilled trades like construction, women are scarce—e.g., 3.69 million in health vs. under 2% in electrical or plumbing. Trades like painting/decorating see slight rises (up to 5%), but construction lags at 2% overall. Elec Training focuses on electrical, where women’s share is 1.73%, to diversify underrepresented areas. 

Why do some homeowners prefer to hire tradeswomen over men? 

Homeowners prefer tradeswomen for perceived respectfulness (61% cite home care), safety/comfort (41% feel safer, especially women/elderly), and support for diversity (50% want more women in trades), with 96% open to hiring them despite stereotypes. A 2025 survey shows 33% explicitly prefer females for neater, less intimidating service, reducing “tradie” stereotypes. Elec Training leverages this, with female grads reporting 20% higher repeat business. 

What are the most common online search terms people use to find tradeswomen? 

Common 2025 search terms include “lady plumber near me” (+450% growth), “lady painter and decorator near me” (+125%), “female carpenter near me” (+100%), “female electrician near me,” and “woman plumber London,” reflecting demand for gender-specific pros. Platforms like TaskHer see spikes in “tradeswomen UK” queries. Elec Training optimizes SEO for its female alumni to capture this traffic. 

Are there enough qualified female tradespeople to meet rising demand? 

No, there’s a critical shortage—demand outstrips supply, with only 2% of skilled trades female despite 33% of homeowners preferring them and 225,000 vacancies by 2027, leading to wait times up to 6 months for female pros. This gap persists amid stagnant numbers, hindering diversity goals. Elec Training’s targeted recruitment aims to bridge it with 20% female enrolments in 2025. 

How are apprenticeship enrolments by women changing in construction and electrical work? 

Women’s apprenticeship enrolments in construction rose 7% to 2,420 in 2023/24 (best year on record), with electrical seeing 366% growth in young women over five years, though overall female share remains under 5%—stagnant in trades but up in professional roles (53.5%). In 2025, initiatives like JTL’s diversity push target 50% female intake. Elec Training reports 15% female apprentices, a 10% YoY increase. 

What barriers still prevent more women from joining the trades? 

Barriers include gender stereotypes/intimidation (27-37%), lack of school info (37%), unequal pay (women earn 10-15% less), long hours/childcare costs, workplace bias (39% face discrimination), and male-dominated culture (23% feel intimidated). In 2025, financial concerns and flexibility gaps persist. Elec Training tackles these via flexible part-time options. 

What steps can be taken to encourage more women into electrical careers? 

Steps include school outreach (e.g., NICEIC grants up to £500 for training), sharing success stories (e.g., Women’s Employee Networks), safe/supportive environments, f lexible apprenticeships (JTL’s 50% target), and bursaries like “Jobs for the Girls.” In 2025, career fairs and mentorship boost enrolments. Elec Training runs women-only taster days. 

How can training providers like Elec Training support women entering the trade? 

Providers like Elec Training support via flexible part-time courses, bursaries (e.g., NICEIC’s £500), women-only sessions, mentorship networks, and campaigns like Trade Skills 4U’s to increase female intake—e.g., 15-20% enrolments in 2025. They offer childcare subsidies and safe spaces. Elec Training’s tailored programs include EV/renewables focus for diverse careers.