Gayle has found her experience of joining the trades industry as a woman overwhelmingly positive something we are proud to highlight during Women in Construction Week.
After working as a carer for five years, she discovered her passion for trades almost by accident, by helping a friend renovate their bathroom. That experience sparked something, and she realised she wanted practical work.
She soon secured a labouring job and spent five years learning on the job. Joining LiveWest as a labourer in 2022 with the ambition of becoming a plumber, she seized the opportunity when a plumbing apprenticeship became available and successfully secured it.
Since joining, she’s noticed a gradual but encouraging shift in representation too.
Gayle Bowden, our Apprentice Plumber, said: “I am seeing more and more women in the trade. There's a female electrician apprentice in today where we are, which is fantastic.
“I think those who want to get into the industry do get into the industry. I don't think these days in 2026, there are actually that many barriers. Maybe that's different in other parts of the country."
Cornwall-based Gayle is currently the only female in her group at college but she believes that attitudes have changed significantly.
She said: “I don't think there are many men saying, ‘Oh, women shouldn't be doing this job’. Most people that I've come across are quite thrilled that more women want to get into it. And those that do, tend to have that mindset of getting there.
“The numbers are always increasing and you do see a lot more women, it'd be nice if there was even more. The college has a spectrum of trades, electrics, carpentry and building. I’m seeing a lot more girls in those trades."
She praises LiveWest for lifting women up and supporting them through getting colleagues together and with Women in Trades days, where feels supported.
Gayle said: “Female trades could be advertised more generally but LiveWest are good at advertising women in trades. I'm really keen for more women to get into trades but through a broad range of roles, I don't think it's put out there enough."
Gayle is now halfway through her apprenticeship. At the moment she is with kitchens and bathrooms, so she can get her portfolio completed before going back to day-to-day repairs.
Gayle said: “They really are on board at moving us so we can get what we need. When I was leaving school looking at career options, trades were never mentioned to girls. It was hairdressing, nursing, careers seen as typically female. It would’ve made a difference if trades had been part of those conversations.”
While she occasionally meets older colleagues unsure of how to respond to a woman in a trade, she sees this as more of a generational issue than a barrier. Gayle also acknowledges that physical challenges exist in some areas of the trade.
She added: “There haven't really been any barriers, they've given me every opportunity that I've asked for. I am where I want to be, which is nice, I'm also now an apprentice plumber so I'm chuffed.
“There are natural barriers, we're not always as strong. Kitchens and bathrooms involve heavy lifting and that's not something I'd manage every week. But if a woman wanted to do that, LiveWest would absolutely make it happen and find a way to support her.”