ReactFast, based in Birmingham, are one of the UK’s largest one-stop emergency maintenance providers. A member of the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list, they offer their customers a 24 hour/365 day service and have attended over 135,000 same day domestic repairs in the last 12 months. ReactFast also offer plumbing training courses and the opportunity to purchase ReactFast plumbing franchises.

In the recent Budget, Gordon Brown announced a scheme to encourage women to enter traditionally male professions – such as plumbing. This multi-million pound package is aimed at closing the skills gap in the construction industry and the size of female unemployment.

ReactFast supports this initiative and welcome women onto all of their courses. At present they have one female plumber on the road. Samantha Pardoe, 29, from Wolverhampton works alongside David Powell, the ReactFast franchisee for the Dudley area.

Samantha, who has been working with David for the past 6 months, has plenty of positive words about being a female plumber in a predominately male environment. “I don’t really see it as an issue. I am judged by the standard of my work rather than my gender.” Samantha went on to say “I wanted to learn a trade and be independent. After deliberation, I decided that plumbing was the trade that best accommodated my skills - I was not deterred by the fact that it is a male dominated job.”

The response from the public towards Samantha has been eye-opening. Generally, people are surprised when a female plumber turns up at their door (some more than others!), although the majority of people have been very supportive and have given her some very encouraging comments.

Talking about the training involved in becoming a plumber, Samantha said, “I wasn’t what you would call a natural. I had to work hard to develop my skills and I have had lots of support from my tutors and my employer.” However, this does not discourage Samantha from recommending the trade to other women. “I would definitely recommend plumbing to other women. It is a very fulfilling and enjoyable job. As for the qualities a woman might need to become a plumber – they are exactly the same as for a man: dedication, hard work and a determination to succeed, learn and improve.”

Samantha’s confidence is surely an inspiration to any women out there interested in training to become a plumber. To train with ReactFast, applicants do not need specific plumbing skills or qualifications, as they are taught all they need at ReactFast’s head office in Birmingham city centre. ReactFast’s package includes a six-week City & Guilds approved training programme in their purpose built training centre, plus full support with all necessary tools and equipment.

In summer 2006 ReactFast will be opening a brand new training centre, which in its first year will provide a minimum of 150 courses in the plumbing, gas, security and electrical trades.

To find out more about a ReactFast plumbing training course, visit the ReactFast Plumbing Training Centre or please call Andy Staveley on 0800 195 3781