Liz Murphy:

What a journey! It is inspirational to read about someone older reassessing their life completely and then actually doing something about it, most of us would just think about it and that is where it ends. I wish Mandy all the good luck in the world, but I think her confidence and determination and business acumin will see her business grow and grow.

Ruth Wilson (UKRC moderator):

Hi Mandy, its great to have you as one of our bloggers. Like Liz says, its very inspiring to see someone taking on a new career at a later stage of life. Have you met any other women electricians since you started? Do they tend to work in the domestic market? And what is your impression of how the recession is affecting electricians - is large-scale construction hit harder than domestic work?

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Liz, Thanks so much for your kind comments and good wishes. It\'s true I\'m a little older than most \'career changers\' (I\'m 52 now). But that\'s because it was equally scary to contemplate change when I was in my 30\'s and I just happened to get my wake-up call in my late 40\'s. I suppose I am lucky I wasn\'t even older; at least I can still hold a screwdriver! I hope you are content in what you do, but if not, I\'d say to you and any other woman: don\'t waste what time you have left. Even if you have to work towards it slowly, like a tug turning an ocean liner, start making that change NOW!

Jed:

Well done Mandy!

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Ruth, Thank you for welcoming me to your site and, indeed, for the opportunity to be a guest blogger. Until the lady from Hull contacted me, I had only met one other female electrician. She was a young apprentice with a large electrical contractors and we were working on the same building site. I have read that several of the bigger construction firms make it their policy to take on female apprentices, and quite right too! However, I also wonder what happens to them if/when they qualify, as I don\'t know any other females in the domestic market in Sheffield. I\'m sure there must be a percentage, as with any other occupation, who give up when they start a family (happening less and less these days). Those that do carry on to make it a career may also prefer to remain working for someone else. After all, not everyone with the abilities to be a tradesperson has the additional ability (or perhaps inclination) to run their own business. That said, the recession has had a massive effect on construction in Sheffield. Where last year I was able to get work on several building sites (a new school, the University, a multi-storey car park, for example) few are operating today. Maybe that will encourage more girls and women to consider the domestic market. I do hope so, as I consider it the natural home for the qualities a woman can bring to the electrical trade. As to your question whether large scale construction has been hit harder by the recession than domestic electricians: probably. Although my business was badly affected at the beginning of this year, it has perked up considerably now that the public seem to have learnt how to live with the credit crunch.

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Ruth, Thank you for welcoming me to your site and, indeed, for the opportunity to be a guest blogger. Until the lady from Hull contacted me, I had only met one other female electrician. She was a young apprentice with a large electrical contractors and we were working on the same building site. I have read that several of the bigger construction firms make it their policy to take on female apprentices, and quite right too! However, I also wonder what happens to them if/when they qualify, as I don\\\\\'t know any other females in the domestic market in Sheffield. I\\\\\'m sure there must be a percentage, as with any other occupation, who give up when they start a family (happening less and less these days). Those that do carry on to make it a career may also prefer to remain working for someone else. After all, not everyone with the abilities to be a tradesperson has the additional ability (or perhaps inclination) to run their own business. That said, the recession has had a massive effect on construction in Sheffield. Where last year I was able to get work on several building sites (a new school, the University, a multi-storey car park, for example) few are operating today. Maybe that will encourage more girls and women to consider the domestic market. I do hope so, as I consider it the natural home for the qualities a woman can bring to the electrical trade. As to your question whether large scale construction has been hit harder by the recession than domestic electricians: probably. Although my business was badly affected at the beginning of this year, it has perked up considerably now that the public seem to have learnt how to live with the credit crunch.

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Ruth, Thank you for welcoming me to your site and, indeed, for the opportunity to be a guest blogger. Until the lady from Hull contacted me, I had only met one other female electrician. She was a young apprentice with a large electrical contractors and we were working on the same building site. I have read that several of the bigger construction firms make it their policy to take on female apprentices, and quite right too! However, I also wonder what happens to them if/when they qualify, as I don\\\\\'t know any other females in the domestic market in Sheffield. I\\\\\'m sure there must be a percentage, as with any other occupation, who give up when they start a family (happening less and less these days). Those that do carry on to make it a career may also prefer to remain working for someone else. After all, not everyone with the abilities to be a tradesperson has the additional ability (or perhaps inclination) to run their own business. That said, the recession has had a massive effect on construction in Sheffield. Where last year I was able to get work on several building sites (a new school, the University, a multi-storey car park, for example) few are operating today. Maybe that will encourage more girls and women to consider the domestic market. I do hope so, as I consider it the natural home for the qualities a woman can bring to the electrical trade. As to your question whether large scale construction has been hit harder by the recession than domestic electricians: probably. Although my business was badly affected at the beginning of this year, it has perked up considerably now that the public seem to have learnt how to live with the credit crunch.

Ruth Wilson (UKRC moderator):

Thanks Mandy. They say that , as an economy, instead of moving house people are doing up the home they live in. I imagine you may be a beneficiary of that....

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Ruth, Yes, I have certainly seen that there is a trend towards having works done, rather than moving house,which has to be of some benefit to the trades. However, large scale electrical work (such as a re-wire) is most often carried out in order to buy or sell a house, so what I\'m losing on the swings, I\'m gaining on the roundabouts!

Kaye Heyes:

Hi Mandy. What an inspirational story, and what a varied life! In the current economic climate, there may well be lots of women looking to change their careers, as you have. What advice would you give based on your own experience?

Sarah Pemberton:

Hi Mandy, Your career path sounds really interesting. I think you must be living proof that skills can be transferred between different sectors! It would be great to get a feel from you as to whether you found this to be the case and how easy or difficult that might have been. I’m really pleased that we were able to support you with a technical training grant. Other readers might be interested to know how you used the grant?

Mandy Reynolds:

Hello Kaye The best advice I think I can give is as I said to Liz, don\'t put off making a change if you feel you need one. Our time here is too short to waste. My second piece of advice would be that making the decision to change is no reason to leap into something unprepared. That way disaster lies, especially in the current economic climate. Do your research, find out the most appropriate way FOR YOU, in which to achieve that change. If your new occupation would require re-training, for example, can it be done part time, whilst you continue in your current role? Can you bear the financial burdon that change can impose? Maybe you need to borrow, or save up, to finance the move. And if, at the end of the day, your chosen new direction looks like taking so long or costing so much that you wonder if it\'s worth it, can you modify your goal to something more achievable?

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Sarah, Because I was not able to undertake an apprenticeship, I self-funded an intensive technical training course and have had to acquire my practical experience \'on the job\'. It has been difficult but I am now a \'Part P\' qualified electrician, able to issue my own safety certificates. One can never know everything, but each day at work brings the opportunity to learn more about my trade and become faster, more productive and more expert in the service I provide my customers. I suppose I feel the need to prove (to myself as much as to my customers) that I am as good an electrician as the next. Even though I have seen some horrors perpetrated by allegedly \'time served\' electricians! The technical training grant allowed me to build on the already extensive knowledge that one must have to be \'Part P\' by doing an advanced technical course. Naturally, this enables me to do my job better. It also provides a platform from which to increase the services I can offer customers, thereby giving me the potential of additional income streams. But most importantly for me, it has boosted my confidence. Needless to say, running a still fledgling business and being in the middle of a recession, I could not have afforded the £550 cost of the course without the UKRC training grant, for which I am immensely grateful.

Jenny Brambles:

Brilliant ! love to hear these life changing events. My own story was very similar. retired at 50 ,due to ill health, 3 years later, started volunteering to help other people in welfare rights who had cancer. This led to helping people start their own business. Started my own business, Face to face networking. this allowed me to carry on supporting the 300 people I had helped set up. Always keeping them in mind, I search for funding, tenders and any contacts for them. Also keep them informed of any legal , training or policy issues. I tried retiring again at 60, but I missed the buzz , 2 months later I decided to just carry on. 62 now but feel fitter than ever. The grandkids wii fit game rates me as 36year old!! and that what my business does for me. I feel I, have turned back time( as the song goes) Hope its the same for you. Very best wishes to you. Jenny Brambles Face to face networking Louis Pearlman centre Goulton Street Hull 07942818675

Kath Littlejohn:

Mandy, Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration. 13 years ago I was a full-time trainer but I semi-retired when my kids came along. Geographical relocation and long hours made it impossible to return after maternity leave. But I did some freelance training and consultancy work until domestic responsibilities exploded and now I\'m returning to part-time term-time work (my kids both have Asperger\'s Syndrome so I need to be home as soon after them as possible). Another restriction is the fact that I can\'t drive, so I\'m limited to workplaces with good bus links. I thought Classroom Assistant work would be easy to get into but it hasn\'t proved the case. However, I enjoyed the training and voluntary placement and I learned enough about the special educational needs system to negotiate for the support my kids need as well as making contacts among local working women. I\'m now returning to computer training. I\'ve self-funded some basic computer courses (for updating) and the necessary teaching preparation course and I\'m applying for a bursary towards the cost of the full teaching qualification so I\'ve applied for some teaching posts. At 54, I\'d begun to wonder if it was worth the time-investment so I\'m glad to read your blog and your replies, particularly the networking lady. PS. The male electricians who rewired my house were quick and tidy, the plumbers were perfectionists and very helpful, the HD and sattelite TV installer was friendly but my school run baffled them all, and they seemed to think I wanted to spend all day watching TV.

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Jenny Thank you for your good wishes and for telling us about your support network; I\\\'ve had a look at the website and it looks very worthwhile. I would love to know what you are doing to have the fitness of a 36 year old when you are actually 62. I\\\'m sure the enjoyment of your work plays a big part, but you probably eat less chocolate and drink less red wine than me too! Working for myself, rather than making me feel younger, has given me back some control over my life. Knowing that I can increase my rewards by increasing my efforts, being able to stop and change direction if my activities lead me down a negative path, the belief that anything is possible. In that sense, it has turned back time: to a place I was in my life before I began to believe I was only worth what my boss was prepared to pay me. My best wishes to you too, Jenny, and to all of us women who take a deep breath and just do it!

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Kath I think it is you who is the inspiring one. With the kind of domestic responsibilities you have, the preparation for your return to full time work must have been an uphill struggle. Good for you, Kath! The amount of comment my blog has attracted on the subject of age has genuinely surprised me. By now, I am used to women expressing approval because I am in a non-traditional trade. However, probably out of politeness, no customers have ever mentioned my age. I had not given it much thought myself (only in terms of whether I had the physical stamina required). I now realise that there are many women who feel that being in their 40s and 50s means their choices are behind them. This is SO NOT THE CASE! I won\'t deny there are people around us with limited imaginations. Like the tradesmen who couldn\'t understand you setting off on foot for the school run, when you could be enjoying daytime TV. Well, let them limit themselves, not you and not me. There may be another 20 years before we want or can afford to retire. That\'s 20 years to learn new things, use old skills to get into new areas, meet more people and enjoy life. You\'ve certainly made a huge investment of time but, trust me, it will be worth it. One day, you will look back and think to yourself \"thank goodness I persevered\"".

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Kath I think it is you who is the inspiring one. With the kind of domestic responsibilities you have, the preparation for your return to full time work must have been an uphill struggle. Good for you, Kath! The amount of comment my blog has attracted on the subject of age has genuinely surprised me. By now, I am used to women expressing approval because I am in a non-traditional trade. However, probably out of politeness, no customers have ever mentioned my age. I had not given it much thought myself (only in terms of whether I had the physical stamina required). I now realise that there are many women who feel that being in their 40s and 50s means their choices are behind them. This is SO NOT THE CASE! I won\\\'t deny there are people around us with limited imaginations. Like the tradesmen who couldn\\\'t understand you setting off on foot for the school run, when you could be enjoying daytime TV. Well, let them limit themselves, not you and not me. There may be another 20 years before we want or can afford to retire. That\\\'s 20 years to learn new things, use old skills to get into new areas, meet more people and enjoy life. You\\\'ve certainly made a huge investment of time but, trust me, it will be worth it. One day, you will look back and think to yourself \\\"thank goodness I persevered\\\"".

Clare Porter:

I am the lady electrician from Hull! I too like Mandy opted to go down the route of privately funding my studies to become an electrician. As most of my electrical training to date had taken place in a training \\\'bay\\\' I decided it was time to get a taste of the real thing through work experience and had sent out several CV\\\'s to no avail to local companies. I stumbled across Mand Made whilst perusing the SYWDT website and sent Mandy my CV. Mandy responded immediately and offered me total support, this was music to my ears as Mandy had already blazed the trail and made it to the point where I was heading. I knew from our first telephone chat that I had met an incredibly inspirational lady who would also become an important role model for me and many more women who want to enter this field. The UKRC for Women in SET have provided me with a traveling bursary which has enabled me to travel to the Work Experience location. The Work Experience arrangement with Mandy and UKRC is ideal as it is flexible, it fits in around my p/t work and caring responsibilities as lone parent. I am not so sure I could have reached this arrangement with any other company providing Work Experience. Working with Mandy has been really enjoyable and I have (and will) learn much more from her \\\'on the job.\\\' My time spent assisting Mandy has left me feeling very confident about my Electrotechnical skills and ready to step over the boundary to do it for real. Thanks Mandy! Maybe in the future I will get the opportunity to do the same for a female trainee electrician and so on....

Mandy Reynolds:

Hi Clare! Great to hear from you! I\'ve enjoyed it too - you\'ve been a real pleasure to have on site. I knew as soon as I spoke to you that you had the dedication and tenacity necessary to succeed, as you\'ve proven by funding your own studies. We both know the thousands of pounds it costs to gain the qualifications needed to meet the current standards for \'real\' electricians, so you\'ve got to be serious to do that. I am certain that in no time at all you will be out there working on your own jobs and gathering together a satisfied customer base. By the way, I\'ve got a little consumer unit change to do next week. Want to come and have a look? Best

Ruth Wilson (UKRC moderator):

Thank you everyone - what an uplifting read! So much skill and potential around. Clare, we are delighted the work placement is working out so well. It sounds like Mandy is a great mentor.

Karen James:

I am a female electrician in Huddersfield. I too trained at a mature age! I\\\'m looking for another woman electrician to work with so that we can help one another on inspection & testing jobs etc. I\\\'ve been teaching electricians for the last 3 years, but miss the \\\'hands on\\\' work. Are there any women in West Yorkshire??

Karen James:

Sorry, I meant any women electricians!!!!!

michelle bairstow:

Message for Karen James.

Hi Karen,

I have just stumbled on this site and read your message dated Oct 09 (rather overdue response!)

I funded my own electrician training in Aug 2008 and wrote 37 letters to local electrical firms in and around Bradford where I live. I received just 3 replies, all of which turned me down. I wanted to work with someone and gain the experience, technical knowhow and confidence. Needless to say, my confidence dropped drastically and I didn't feel confident enough to work on my own. I am in fulltime employment now (working within the NHS - not an electrician though......tsk) but work shifts and although I enjoy my job, I still want to be an electrician!

My question is this; are you still training individuals or are you hands on now? Do you know of any female electricians willing to allow me to 'fetch & carry' for the nomincal fee of experience and a cup of tea?

Jamie Searle:

Hi Mandy and all.

I hope this message isn't coming long past your active time here. I'm 30 (a chap) and looking to re-train as an electrician. I'd love to know who you trained with and how long it took, it's hard going getting the information straight from websites.

Thanks
Jamie

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