Wickes trains first women installation apprentices

As part of Wickes new Installation Apprenticeship scheme, two women have joined the cohort making them the first female trainees.

10 Mar, 21

As part of Wickes new Installation Apprenticeship scheme, two women have joined the cohort making them the first female trainees.

Wickes employs first women installation apprentices

 

 

With kitchen installations in demand, coupled with the recently identified skills gap of fewer installers, Wickes has launched its Installation Apprenticeship Scheme to help maintain the future supply of skilled tradespeople.

Abby Watkinson will be starting as a fitted furniture apprentice installer and commented:”Many women are not typically seen in these roles, something I want to change.”

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Rachael Folds previously worked at a granite and marble mason and became the first female Intermac CNC Stone Machine programmer in the United Kingdom.

Both will be embarking on an 18-month programme, tapping into life and trade skills, together with mentoring support.

Around 80% of their time will be spent on site with their installer from the Wickes’ Approved Installer Network for kitchens, with the remainder covering formal training with Nottingham-based WEBS Training.

The formal training will focus on the technical aspects of fitting a kitchen, behaviour, customer services and setting up a business.

Installations director at Wickes, Tony Brown said: “We’re really proud to have Abby and Rachael joining the installer apprenticeship scheme, both from very different career backgrounds. We hope they are the first of many women to join the trade.

“Installation of kitchens is a very skilled job and we want to invest in people to help close any skills gap.

“There are many great careers to be had in this industry and opportunities for people in a sector that can be flexible around them or give them the opportunity to create a small business.

“I am really proud that we’re able to offer such a unique programme like this that appeals to men and women.

“We know the industry needs more skilled tradespeople and we hope this is just the beginning of a very successful and long running scheme.”

There are still six cohorts that have places available for the Wickes Apprenticeship Scheme.