Stelrad supports women-led trade training
Radiator manufacturer Stelrad has donated radiators to support a training initiative helping women gain practical plumbing, heating and DIY skills.
The courses are run by tradeswomen Maria Kinsella, a qualified plumber and electrician, and Astrid, a qualified carpenter. Through Touchwood Southwest, they provide hands-on workshops designed to build confidence and teach women practical skills around the home.
Participants learn a range of skills, including how to bleed radiators, identify radiator valves, understand thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), and safely remove and refit radiators.
“We teach skills that people can use for the rest of their lives,” said Maria. “Above all, we aim to build confidence so that women feel capable of tackling everyday jobs around the home themselves.”
After meeting Maria at InstallerSHOW, Stelrad arranged to donate several of its smaller radiators for use in the training sessions. The radiators are mounted on specially built training frames, allowing participants to gain practical experience in a safe environment.
“They are perfect for the courses we run,” added Maria. “Participants are able to practise mounting and removing radiators and gain valuable hands-on experience.”
The initiative highlights the positive role women are playing across the trades, both by building successful careers themselves and by encouraging others to develop practical skills and confidence.
“It’s fantastic to know the radiators are being used to help women develop practical skills and gain the confidence to deal with problems around the home,” said Lexi Kelly, Marketing Coordinator at Stelrad. “It’s a relatively simple contribution from us, but one that is clearly making a real difference.”
As the industry continues to attract more diverse talent, initiatives such as this demonstrate how female tradespeople are helping to inspire the next generation and break down barriers to entering the sector. Find out more about Maria and her company by going to her website at www.phoenixmandr.co.uk and Instagram @phoenixmandr. She has built up a customer base that includes a lot of women, single mums and older people who feel more comfortable inviting a female tradesperson into their homes. To find out more about the courses offered visit www.touchwoodsouthwest.com and @touchwood_southwest on Instagram.
