Women in the trade:
Q&A with a female gas engineer from Vaillant

The heating and plumbing industry is still seen as a man’s world – but female installers are making big strides. We chat to Vaillant engineer Rebeca Flicker-Sanchez about her career journey

It’s estimated that only 1% of plumbers are women, according to female-led plumbing firm Stopcocks – and female gas engineers are even rarer.

But things are changing. One initiative that’s promoting the trade as a space for women is the annual Women Installers Together conference, which this year takes place at London Metropolitan University on 4 July. Sponsored by Vaillant, the event brings tradeswomen together so they can network, socialise and share their knowledge.

We caught up with Vaillant’s Rebeca Flicker-Sanchez to find out about her experiences as a woman in the heating industry.

"We’ve been brought up to believe that a woman can’t do a ‘man’s job’, but no one knows their capability to do anything unless they try"

Q How did you get into the industry?

A I started with an apprenticeship at a big energy company 15 years ago. I grew up in a single-parent family and I wanted a career that had stability and would enable me to be financially independent..

Q How did you end up working at Vaillant?

A I wanted to be able to specialise in one brand of boilers and controls. So, I applied to Vaillant, and the rest is history.

Q What’s your role at Vaillant?

A I’m a field-based Repair and Service Engineer. This involves visiting properties around the southwest of England to service and repair Vaillant boilers and controls. I work with a great team, and I really enjoy the job that I do.

Q What do you think are the barriers to women becoming heating installers?

A I think the main barrier is self-doubt. We’ve been brought up to believe that a woman can’t do a ‘man’s job’, but no one knows their capability to do anything unless they try.

Q What has been your experience of working in a male-dominated trade?

A It’s generally been positive. I’ve always been accepted and treated the same as men. In the early part of my career, I put pressure on myself to prove myself. I didn’t want my gender to affect what people thought of my ability. But I’ve met heaps of supportive guys in the industry and have been friends with some of them for years.

Q Have there been times when you’ve been reminded it’s a very male-dominated industry?

A The toilet situation when working onsite would always be an interesting one – often there’d just be one horrible portable toilet! When I first started out in the industry, PPE and uniform was difficult to get hold of. In most situations, I’d have to order my own kit so I could work safely. There are much better toilet facilities now. Trade clothing and PPE is more inclusive too, with major brands having ranges to suit all body types regardless of gender.

Q How has Vaillant supported you?

A Vaillant is a supportive company to be a part of, whether you’re male or female. There’s a real sense of family. I’m also lucky that my local team works with a great bunch of guys. Our boss and supervisor are super supportive. They show an interest in not just us, but our families and out-of-work life, too. They see us as more than just a number.

"There are situations where customers prefer to have a female heating engineer"

Q What do you think the trade needs to do to attract more women into it?

A It needs to show women the security and financial independence that it can provide, and the different avenues the industry has to offer. I think sometimes people think it’s all just getting muddy on a building site, but it’s way more than that. Once you’re in the industry, you can go and teach, go into the sales side, or go into the operations side and manage teams. And with [the change to] renewable energy, there’ll be a whole heap of different roles to get into.

Q What do you think are the benefits of having a more diverse installer workforce?

A There are certain situations where customers prefer to have a female heating engineer. It could be due to religious beliefs, or they might be domestic abuse victims or single elderly women who feel more comfortable having a female engineer in their home. Having a more diverse workforce is more productive, too. People think differently, which helps to reach a positive outcome more quickly – especially in an industry that can involve a lot of troubleshooting.

Q What can male installers do to become allies for women who are starting out?

A Be supportive and encouraging. Stand up to any discrimination and call people out when they engage in that behaviour.

Q Where do you see your career heading in the future?

A It’s a hard question because the whole industry is changing with renewable energy. All I know is that I’m in the right place with Vaillant, whatever the future has in store.

Q You attended Women Installers Together last year. What do you think about the event?

A I love it, and I know Mica [May] and Hattie [Hasan, the organisers] put their heart and soul into making the event the best it can be. It’s a really good opportunity to meet other women in the industry, to make friends and to bounce ideas off each other. Unfortunately, I can’t be there this year. But we have Lisa [Davies-Read], who’s a Regional Business Manager, and Laura [Needham], who’s our Head of Training, attending – so if you’re going, make sure you meet these ladies.

Q Do you have any advice for women who want to get into the industry?

A Go for it! See if there are any local engineers you can volunteer with to gain some experience. Go to female trade events to meet people and network. If you’re interested, just give it a go.

Q Where do you see your career heading in the future?

A It’s a hard question because the whole industry is changing with renewable energy. All I know is that I’m in the right place with Vaillant, whatever the future has in store.

Q You attended Women Installers Together last year. What do you think about the event?

A I love it, and I know Mica [May] and Hattie [Hasan, the organisers] put their heart and soul into making the event the best it can be. It’s a really good opportunity to meet other women in the industry, to make friends and to bounce ideas off each other. Unfortunately, I can’t be there this year. But we have Lisa [Davies-Read], who’s a Regional Business Manager, and Laura [Needham], who’s our Head of Training, attending – so if you’re going, make sure you meet these ladies.

Q Do you have any advice for women who want to get into the industry?

A Go for it! See if there are any local engineers you can volunteer with to gain some experience. Go to female trade events to meet people and network. If you’re interested, just give it a go.