Women in Trades: Championing the People Shaping Our Industry

The trade world is changing. Traditionally dominated by men, women are now an increasingly important part of the sector, from those with jobs in construction or other skilled manual trades, to those running the local tool stores you know and love, working in sales and plugging away behind the scenes to shape businesses.

 

Why do we need women in trade businesses?

Having more women working across the trades isn’t simply about improving the numbers. It’s about making sure the industry benefits from the widest possible pool of talent, experience, skills and ideas.

Bringing people with different backgrounds and perspectives into a business can encourage new ways of thinking, strengthen teams and help create an industry that better reflects the customers and communities it serves.

Greater representation also helps challenge some of the old-fashioned ideas about what a tradesperson or someone working within the wider trade industry is supposed to look like. From working on the tools and behind trade counters to sales, operations, management and business ownership, there are opportunities for talented people right across the sector.

And visibility really does matter. The more we celebrate the women already building successful careers in the industry, the easier it becomes for the next generation to see those same opportunities for themselves.

After all, it’s much easier to picture yourself somewhere when you can see people like you already succeeding there.

Meet Elizabeth, the woman behind Dad’s Shop

Across our network, there are hundreds of women working in skilled and manual trades, making their mark in the industry.

A great example of those is Elizabeth, who owns and runs Dad’s Shop, a family-run DIY business based in West Berkshire.

Elizabeth’s connection to the business goes right back to childhood – her family moved into the current premises in 1972, the year she was born, and she can even remember living above the shop. When her father decided to retire and sell the business in 1993 after 27 years of trading, Elizabeth and her siblings weren’t quite ready to see the family business go. So, at just 21 years old and with little retail experience, Elizabeth decided to give running it a go.

More than 30 years later, she’s still at the helm – and it remains very much a family affair. Her sister joined the business around 10 years ago, while Elizabeth’s daughter is now Head Buyer, continuing the family tradition into another generation.

“I am so proud to be a female who has worked in this industry for over 30 years. Over that time, I have seen firsthand the struggles a woman may face. There have been comments about my ability to drive a forklift or understand a technical question, but no matter what, I am confident and strong in knowing that knowledge has no gender. Within the last few years, there has been a positive change in the way customers and tradespeople act towards me and my female staff.

Since taking on a more front-facing role, we have seen a huge surge in women using Dads Shop because they feel more confident and comfortable asking questions. I think it’s important for me to use the knowledge I have to make a path for my daughter and other females in this industry. We need more female tradespeople, and I will forever support and fight for a more equal and positive future.”

It’s a brilliant example of the role women are already playing in the trade industry – running independent businesses, building decades of experience and helping shape what comes next.

And, of course, business ownership is only one part of the picture. Across the trade industry, women are playing important roles at every level – from merchant counters and customer service to sales, operations, management and leadership. Making those contributions more visible is an important part of showing the breadth of opportunities available within the sector.

Empowering women in trades

It’s important that we consider what businesses in the industry can do to encourage and retain more women within the trades. There are several practical steps that can be taken, including:

Creating supportive workplace policies

Mentoring programmes

Networking, training, and development opportunities

Creating clear progression routes for women

After all, supporting women in trades isn’t just about encouraging more women through the door – but about creating workplaces where they have the opportunity and support to build long-term careers in the trades.

Positive increases of women in the trade industry

There’s plenty of reason to feel optimistic about the future, with encouraging signs that more women are choosing to build careers in the trade industry.

Figures highlighted by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)* show that the number of women completing construction apprenticeships has risen significantly, from just 340 in 2018 to 910 in 2025. That’s a really positive step forward, suggesting that more women are gaining the skills, qualifications and hands-on experience needed to forge successful careers in the sector.

Of course, there’s still work to be done when it comes to encouraging women in the trade industry. Continuing to improve representation, create opportunities and support long-term career progression will be key to building on this momentum. But with more women taking their first steps into the industry, there’s good reason to be excited about what the future holds.

Dormole’s Empowering Women initiative

Closer to home, Dormole – the group behind Toolbank and Get Kitted Out – has also been looking at how it can better support and empower women across the business.

Recognising the importance of diversity in bringing different perspectives, experiences and skills to the workplace, Dormole set out to better understand what it was like to be a woman working within a traditionally male-dominated organisation. With support from former SNA Europe President Marian Wells, a series of round-table discussions were held with women from across the business, helping to identify opportunities for positive change.

Those conversations led to the creation of an action plan designed to help build an even more inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. This has included reviewing policies and procedures, making relevant policies and company values more visible, developing regular communications and networking opportunities, identifying female mentors and role models, and reviewing training and development needs.

The work continues through a dedicated steering committee, while initiatives such as Q&As with committee members and conversations around the importance of male allies are helping to keep the subject visible across the organisation.

It’s a practical reminder that supporting women in trades is only part of the picture. Creating the right environment for women to develop, progress and have their voices heard is just as important.

Backing the next generation of women behind your local trade business

There are already fantastic women building careers and businesses throughout the trade industry. By celebrating them, making their achievements more visible and continuing to remove barriers to progression, the industry can encourage even more women to see the trades as a place where they belong and can succeed.

Behind every great independent tool shop is a team of knowledgeable, passionate people helping customers find the right products for the job. Discover your nearest Get Kitted Out Approved Stockist and support the local businesses at the heart of our trade community.

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*Source: https://www.citb.co.uk/news/updates-insights-and-stories/women-completing-construction-apprenticeships-have-tripled-since-2018