Plumber courses could soon be in high demand among women, according to a mother from Bury who enrolled in classes herself after being made redundant from her teaching role.
Reported on This is Lancashire, Gillian Roberts, 53, decided to add to her basic understanding of the job that she learnt from her father - also a plumber - and take a course.
"It can be daunting taking that jump and doing something completely different but I was really impressed with the course, the tutors and how soon I could qualify," she said.
Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in 2007 found that only two per cent of apprentice plumbers are female and an increase in numbers could severely benefit the industry that has recently been through a skills shortage.
Tradespersons that take courses and gain approved qualifications could be extremely important in supplying a constant high standard of service, whether male or female.