Women in Plumbing Profile: Hayley Bransden

Who are you? Hayley Bransden

How old are you? 34

What got you interested in plumbing? I was looking for a career change. I love problem solving and physically demanding activities, I really enjoy a more hands-on approach with most things. So I was looking for career that I could combine the two.

What were you doing before plumbing? Before I started my plumbing apprenticeship, I was working in property management and most recently a butchers.

Where do you want to go with plumbing? The goal at the end is to start up my own company.

What do you think of the Women in Plumbing program, and Certificate 2 course? The woman in Plumbing program has been more than I could have hoped for. I feel supported and less like a thorn amongst the roses (being a female in the trade industry). The program allows apprentices to be placed in a variety of different types of plumbing fields with host employers so you aren’t stuck with just the one employer learning one small part of a very broad trade for the duration of your apprenticeship it’s all about gaining as much hands-on experience in all fields. They also have mentoring programs run by some absolutely outstanding women.

Do you have any advice for women/girls out there thinking about getting into plumbing? The advice I would give to any woman who wants to enter a trade would be to go for it guns blazing. We really are the missing piece in the industry, women bring a lot more than we are given credit for, especially our organisation and attention to detail...and that is a massive!

...and for those women with children and families, it’s totally doable. I am a mum to four boys under seven and if I can do it so can you.