National press call on CPA to comment on rise in female workers
Posted on 26/06/2014
A leading provider of insurance backed guarantees (IBGs) to the industry recently appeared in the national press to comment on the growing number of females working in construction.
The Consumer Protection Association (CPA) was contacted by the Sunday Independent and asked to comment on the rise of white van women; following the publication of an article about how women now represent 5.7 per cent of trade workers.
The CPA provides IBG’s and services that help installers achieve sales and grow their businesses.
Following the publication of the story in the Sunday Independent; CPA Director Jeremy Brett’s comments then appeared in the Daily Mail and he was also contacted by Sky News to comment.
Jeremy says that the organisation’s twenty one years’ experience and commitment to raising standards in the industry were key factors behind them being asked to comment.
He comments: “We’ve been providing IBGs and support to installers for over twenty one years now, so we have seen lots of changes. We’re always keen to promote the good work of installers and comment on issues affecting the industry. Naturally this kind of national coverage gives us a good platform to do so.”
In the article Jeremy said this: “We have been operating in the building and home-improvement industry for over 20 years and there has been a quantum shift.
“Wind back 20 years and it was very rare to see women working in the building trade, but we are seeing a change.”
He added: “It’s also changing at a management level - we’re seeing more women taking roles as CEOs and directors. The perception is still that it is a male profession, but I don’t know how long that will be the reality for.”
The report also said that the surge of females taking roles in the industry is down to employers seeking tradespeople who are reliable and good with customer service – which many believe women are better at.
These figures have been accompanied by a drop in the number of foreign migrants working as builders and tradesmen, which has virtually halved in the past four years, according to a study of 10,000 in the industry.
The CPA was recently named as an accredited provider of Insurance Backed Guarantees, following regulatory changes that make it mandatory for installers to provide finance protection.
Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) the CPA’s core business is providing Insurance Backed Guarantees (IBGs) and deposit protection to installers carrying out home improvements.
It also offers its members a host of other benefits such as marketing support; training; sales presentation advice and quarterly assessment reports.
