Female plumbing students from Suffolk are aiming to break the stigma as they bid to inspire women and girls to work in the trade.

Suffolk New College is taking part in World Plumbing Day that is being celebrated on Saturday and promotes a trend that has seen an increase in the number of women in construction.

A Go Compare report shows that the number of women who had taken on apprenticeships in construction and engineering had increased by 366% between 2009 and 2019.

Whilst these huge numbers have not quite been replicated at ​the Ipswich college, there has been a significant rise in applications from women on construction courses, particularly in plumbing.

Ipswich Star: Kayleigh Reid, a plumbing student, Suffolk New CollegeKayleigh Reid, a plumbing student, Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

One of the three female students on the level two plumbing course at Suffolk New College, Kayleigh Reid, decided to learn plumbing as she eventually wants to start her own property development company.

The 32-year-old student, from Ipswich, said: “Over the years, people have tried to put me off a career in construction but the more they told me I couldn’t do it, the more I wanted to prove them wrong.

“I started this course as I see it as an investment in myself.

“I’ve had mental health problems in the past so I like the job as it keeps you in the moment, you don’t bring stuff home with you and it can be therapeutic.”

Ipswich Star: Shelby Reid, a plumbing student, Suffolk New CollegeShelby Reid, a plumbing student, Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

Kayleigh’s sister, Shelby, 25, who is also on the same level of the plumbing course, said: “Our family has got someone in every area of the construction trade apart from a plumber, so I thought why not be the plumber.

“I’d say to other females thinking about it is that if you enjoy being hands on, this is a great career and this is a perfect opportunity to try something different.”

Ipswich Star: Annie Smith, a plumbing student, Suffolk New CollegeAnnie Smith, a plumbing student, Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

Another student, Annie Smith, 19, added: “When I worked in the care industry, people try to put me off all the time saying plumbing is for men - but that only spurred me on.

“I went for plumbing, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”