Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Since 2010 there have been more than 2 million people have started an apprenticeship and more women than men now take up the earn while you learn route. But 40 years ago, it was a very different situation, so when Sellafield nuclear plant recruited its first 4 female apprentices it was a trailblazing move.
In 1977, a landmark moment happened at Europes most complex nuclear site, Sellafield the company shattered gender inequality and took on its first ever female apprentices. Fast forward 38 years and one quarter of the companys apprentices are female - a figure that is likely to rise again this year as they recruit over 200 additional trainees.
Karen Stewart, Pat Spain, Liz Duffy and Anne Chakley were the first 4 females to be given a place on Sellafields apprentice training scheme, and 2 of the group have reunited during National Apprenticeship Week 2015 to reflect on their landmark achievements.
I knew I wanted to become an apprentice
Karen began her career as an instrumental apprentice at the nuclear site and is now a safety case advisor, she said:
I was never a girly-girl when I was younger. I wasnt interested in studying the soft subjects at school; I wanted to learn about science and maths because I knew they would give me the opportunity of a good future life and career.
Around the time I was leaving school, the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act had come into force in the UK. All of a sudden there were new, exciting career options available to me and I instantly knew I wanted to become an apprentice.
Careers in engineering and the sciences werent typically popular with girls; they were always seen as a better route for boys to follow. I remember when I applied for the apprenticeship one female teacher told me it was the wrong thing to do but I saw myself as equal and able as any of the boys applying for the scheme.
Looking back, it was such an achievement to be selected as one of Sellafields first ever female apprentices and Im very proud of what I have accomplished in my career so far.
Id definitely recommend an apprenticeship to young people, no matter their gender. Its a good opportunity to have and stands you in good stead to follow whatever career path or industry youre interested in. I supported both my daughters as they considered their options after school both are now trainee specialist technicians at Sellafield Ltd.
When I started my apprenticeship I didnt think of it as a big deal
Liz Duffy is now an electrical and instrumental craftsperson for Sellafield Ltd.
She said:
When I started my apprenticeship I didnt think of it as a big deal really, I was just happy to get a job at the first time of trying. I was a tomboy and used to spend my spare time rebuilding old British motorcycle engines with my boyfriend, so I knew I wanted more of a hands-on job. I personally didnt meet much discrimination, there were the odd couple of comments from males but we just had to show we deserved to be there by making a good job of everything we did, both physically and academically.
Looking back at my career Im glad I started it the way I did, I couldnt imaging doing anything else and have spent 37 happy years at the Sellafield site.
National Apprenticeship Week 2015 has been more successful than ever - and you can find out more about apprenticeships by visiting our Get In. Go Far. website.