Women Take on Trades In Bradford

By Jonnel Benjamin

Bradford is leading the way in an award winning apprenticeship employment programme.



Incommunities has helped over 1400 trainees get work after a very high qualification success rate.

One third of trainees are females who are learning different trades through the scheme.

Joiner Lisa Kaye, 38, Keighley said: "I've always had the help that I've needed, If ever I needed it.

I've had good mentors that have taught me through my apprenticeship and I now I have my own apprentice who is making me a mentor".

Ms Kaye is an example that females can succeed in the trades world as she has won the best joiner of the year  award two years in a row and became the first female to receive the apprentice of the year title.

She admits most men work in the trade and sometimes she gets confused for a man.

Incommunities has also won the national Women in Construction training award.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire, David Ward and Apprentice

Bradford East MP, David Ward and The Rt Hon Lord Wallace of Saltaire, met with current apprentices at the purpose built training resource at Dudley Hill Business Centre.

Rt Hon Lord Wallace said: "I hadn't expected such overwhelming enthusiasm particularly from the women.

"Women in construction is a relatively new thing. Incommunties have been encouraging women to get involved.

"It is much more encouraging for vulnerable people to have a woman. It just shows that this is a worthwhile scheme", he added.

Incommunities is also taking part in Bradford Council’s Employment Opportunities Fund by so far recruiting 133 unemployed people on 12 month contracts.

Lord Wallace of Saltaire and  David Ward gets a briefing of the project

Rt Hon Lord Wallace of Saltaire said: "We have been very short with all the good practical skills in construction.

"We should be building and refurbishing more houses so all the skills we have are being learned and developed in disciplined schemes.

"If Bradford is going to get back into textiles and other forms of manufacturing there are a lot of skills which apprenticeships will help to provide".