A group of seven female trainees has begun a one year work-based learning programme with training provider EAS Mechanical and Stopcocks Women Plumbers, which will see them qualify into the industry at Level 2 and give them the opportunity to run their own business.

Stopcocks Women Plumbers, a company that specialises in providing female plumbers to customers, has teamed up with training provider EAS Mechanical to offer the unique training opportunity, thought to be the first of its kind, to women of all ages across the UK.


The new initiative will take eight block weeks to complete over the course of the year at West Herts College and is being managed and administered by EAS Mechanical and its team of qualified plumbing trainers and assessors. Full mentoring, support and work-based experience is provided by Stopcocks Women Plumbers. Those who complete the course will finish with the industry-recognised Level 2 Diploma qualification, as well as a licence to work as a Stopcocks Woman Plumber.


Mica May from Stopcocks said: “We are delighted with this group of new trainees. Our aim is to provide highly skilled and qualified female plumbers to customers who are looking for a reliable, efficient and friendly service. Over time we’ve discovered that there are many women who have reached a point in their lives – often in highly successful and stressful careers – when they want to do something different. This opportunity will help them do exactly that whilst also establishing their own business, with the full support and backing of our expertise.”


Open to women of any age, the programme includes 12 months of training delivered in eight one-week blocks, on-site support, supervision and work-based learning. Candidates will be able to start earning after six months, and will benefit from mentoring and training by the Stopcocks Women Plumbers team, as well as a phone answering service, business cards, branding materials, uniform, marketing and customer referrals.


The package comprises all training, a business licence with full sales, and marketing support from Stopcocks. This includes full mentoring, supervision, support and onsite training, ensuring not just completion of the required workplace learning but also that trainees gain the necessary skills, confidence and competence.


The waiting list for the next trainee programme, which will start in September 2013, is now open. Please contact mica@stopcocks.co.uk for further details.