European Social Fund in England

Case studies: Women build a better life

Women across South Yorkshire have been building new skills for the future, thanks to an initiative part-financed by the European Social Fund.

Traditionally women have played a very small role in the largely male-dominated construction industry. However, this has all changed in recent years due to higher numbers of women showing an interest in learning construction skills, either as a career choice or to learn DIY skills for themselves.

South Yorkshire’s Women’s Development Trust (SYWDT) was developed five years ago, to offer women the opportunity to gain skills in a variety of construction trades, including bricklaying, plastering, tiling, glazing, plumbing, computer aided design, painting and decorating. Training is delivered as DIY courses in community venues and DIY or construction courses at the Women’s Construction Centre, in Burngreave, Sheffield. Learners can also benefit from support in finding work experience and further training, access to networking events and crèche provision. This training is available to females across South Yorkshire, aged 14 and above, whether at school, college, employed or unemployed. Over 400 new learners have enrolled at the SYWDT, with 30% of these progressing onto further education or employment in non-traditional trades.

Ros Wollen, Manager of the SYWDT said: “Objective 1 funding through Measure 15 has given women’s organisations the chance to do over and above what has normally been on offer, especially for the long-term unemployed and lone parents. This initiative has been a great success, with all our learners leaving their training with increased confidence, increased practical skills and increased employment opportunities. We are now working to build what we have established into mainstream provision.”

The SYWDT is co-financed by the Learning & Skills Council, with additional funding from Yorkshire Forward. The Trust works in partnership with Sheffield College, Rotherham College, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield First for Learning and Tradeswomen South Yorkshire – a construction social enterprise.

Debbie Peat: "I took a welding taster course at SYWDT making grilles and benches for the Centre.

I am now at Dearne Valley College doing my NVQ and will become a ‘Welding Champion’ funded by the South Yorkshire Community Foundation in 2007.

I look forward in the future to sharing my welding skills with other women."

Leigh Brassington: "After learning the ‘basics’ in plastering at SYWDT I wanted to learn more. The only place available for me to do my NVQ was 25 miles away but SYWDT applied for a grant to the Youth Construction Trust.

I receive a grant from them which pays my transport costs and enables me to take my son to the crèche at the college.

I am going to set up my own business as a plasterer in the future."

For further information contact the centre on 0114 273 7046 or e-mail wintt.sywdt@btconnect.com