Blog>Trade>Starting a Business>Women in carpentry: how can we encourage more women to join the industry?
Last updated: 8 January 2025
Women in carpentry: how can we encourage more women to join the industry?
With just 4.3% of positions in the carpentry industry held by women, it’s certainly a male-dominated profession. But the good news is that this premise is beginning to change. Here’s what you can do to boost the number of women in carpentry in the future.
Women in the UK trades industry
When thinking about hiring a tradesperson to help solve a problem, it’s safe to assume they’ll be a guy.
Like it or not, the UK trade industry has been a male-dominated profession as far back as records began. And according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), that’s not something that’s changed too much in recent years.
But that’s not to say there are no women working in UK trade jobs. In fact, data suggests that the number of women in various trade roles has increased in the last decade. This certainly shows that the industry is at least starting to evolve.
Case and point, studies have revealed that women account for:
33% of all UK painter-decorator jobs
28% hold plumbing roles
16% of spots in the construction industry in the last few years have been held by women
However, just 4.3% of carpentry vacancies are filled by women. Why is this? After all, carpentry is one of the more accessible trades, lower educational bar than an electrician, for example.
How accessible is carpentry for women?
As you may have already guessed, accessibility for women in carpentry is limited. And not for just one reason.
It could be due to the stereotypes of the industry or a lack of early encouragement. Either way, these sorts of woodworking jobs simply aren’t being directed at women. Below are just some of the core reasons why carpentry for women is limited:
1. Outdated schooling
Much like the trades in general, carpentry is still very much seen as a ‘man’s’ job. It’s certainly not the sort of career or trade you see directed at girls and female students at school.
And this in and of itself is one of the key accessibility issues.
Simply put, there are less women in carpentry because it’s not directed to them at school or university.
Whether on purpose or by accident, most girls are encouraged to pursue a career in STEM roles or the arts. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, after all, these can be well-paying jobs.
However, it does mean that young girls are missing the opportunity to pursue a non-traditional career offering essential life skills.
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2. A focus on university
Going hand in hand with outdated schooling, the idea that everyone must go to university is another sticking point.
This is a contentious point for the trading industry in general. But is certainly a reason why many women don’t consider carpentry as a career path.
Trades, like carpentry, are simply not something most people consider once they step into further education. And upon finishing, many assume they’re too old to pursue an apprenticeship and instead choose roles based on their degree.
In almost all cases the opposite is true. In fact, skills learned at university can go a long way to making learning a trade that much easier.
However, again due to a lack of exposure, women simply aren’t presented with the circumstances to pursue a carpentry job.
3. Learning a trade can be intimidating
Whether guys want to admit it or not, learning a new skill or trade can be intimidating. But this is even more true for women, partially due to the learning curve, but also because of the environment.
With carpentry mainly being taught and learnt by men, many women admit to feeling uncomfortable and intimidated by such spaces.
This is especially the case for those who’ve never worked in the trades before. As a result, plenty of women who would readily pursue a career in carpentry wind up passing on it instead.
4. The gender pay gap
We might not talk about it, but another key reason female carpenters are rare is the gender pay gap. While on the decline, on average, men in the trades tend to earn 20% more than women.
Is it any wonder then that, with such a big difference, women are passing on a career in carpentry? Wouldn’t you choose a different job if you knew someone in the same position would get paid more than you?
5. Misogyny
Whether we like it or not, misogyny certainly plays a leading role in why women don’t want a trade career.
It’s an ugly truth that some men still see learning a trade like carpentry as a specifically male career. And it’s one that sees countless skilled and eager-to-learn would-be carpenters turned away before even reaching the door.
The reality is that anyone can learn a trade, regardless of gender and skill level.
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How can we create access to carpentry for women?
So, now that we know what’s blocking access for women in carpentry, how can we change this?
Here are some of the ideas we’ve come up with to help encourage more women to choose this career path:
Increase opportunities – first and foremost, if we want more women in carpentry, then they need to be given the opportunity to learn. Be it in schools, colleges, apprenticeships or otherwise, a concerted effort should be made to get the word out that carpentry is for women too
Equal pay- by eliminating the pay gap and ensuring women are paid the same as men, we can reduce the odds of would-be carpenters turning away from the trades
Allow for creativity – traditional woodwork often focuses on learning the mechanics rather than being creative. Therefore, to encourage more female carpenters, classes should focus on what the students want to make to get them invested in learning vital carpentry techniques
Offer support – whether through all-female classes or by taking the time to guide students most in need, support should be offered as and when needed to help female carpenters become comfortable in a trade role. You could even include discussions around tradespeople and mental health to create a more open working environment
Change attitudes – simply put, if we want more women in carpentry roles, then attitudes need to change. That means welcoming female carpenters with open arms, enhancing their visibility in the industry, and breaking down barriers that could get in the way of them learning this vital craft
Take the risk – while there is a lot the industry can do to make female carpenters more welcome, only by having more women become carpenters can we change and improve industry equality.
So, if you’re a woman who wants to be a carpenter, don’t be afraid to take the risk and try a carpentry course in your area. Only with your help can we get more women involved in carpentry.
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Those were just some of the reasons why carpentry is inaccessible to women. And if you’re a woman interested that's skilled as a carpenter and want to grow your business, then look no further than Checkatrade.
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Female carpentry FAQs
Are people comfortable with female carpenters?
Yes, studies show that most people are uninterested in the gender of the tradesperson they hire. In fact, most customers are only really concerned with whether or not you can get the job done.
And in some cases, being a female carpenter or tradesperson can be beneficial. For example, many women living on their own state they’d feel more comfortable with a female carpenter in their home
Can I make money as a female carpenter?
Absolutely! Even though the gender pay gap is an issue, you can still make plenty of money as a female carpenter. And by starting your own business as a female carpenter, you can decide how much you earn.
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