While many people will associate plumbing courses with male tradesmen, there are an increasing number of women taking the qualifications.
Two young women from the Midlands recently completed apprenticeships in the profession and revealed how they feel about breaking the 'glass ceiling'.
Rachel Toor, 20, noted that many residents are actually more comfortable having a female engineer working in their homes, giving women a gap in the market to pursue.
For 21-year-old Karina Patel, both the training and the end result have suited her.
She said: "I knew I wanted to do something out of the ordinary and am so pleased I did. I really enjoyed my training."
The ladies' assessor at Walsall Housing Group Ernie Chatterfield described how it has been a pleasure to teach the pair and is hugely proud of them.
Young technicians in Northern Ireland are this month vying to win accolades at the Plumbing and Mechanical Apprentice of the Year Awards, with the ceremony due to be held at Belfast City Hall on June 28th.
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