Influx of girls keen to get hands dirty
Women are opting to get their hands dirty with record numbers choosing construction over cosmetics at Walsall College.
Female students are breaking the stereotype to sign up for courses such as brickwork, painting and decorating and carpentry.
Although construction is mainly associated with males increasing numbers are bucking the trend at the town's college.
Tutors say the previous shortage of women in the industry is being reversed with more now happy to try manual labour.
Over the last three years this has more than doubled with girls pleased to be able to put the boys in the shade.
Painting and decorating student Victoria Maher was previously runner up Apprentice of the Year with her company Seddons.
The 22-year-old said: "I'd be crawling the walls if I couldn't do a practical job. I much prefer to get on with doing things.
"I've never been put off by it being more of a boyish subject if a lad can do it, a girl can too. Being a girl hasn't been an issue at all, I get treated like anyone else."
Curriculum manager for Construction, Barry Hill, said: "There has been a definite increase in females choosing to enrol on construction courses here.
From 10 in 2005/06 to 19 in 07/08 and now 23 currently enrolled this year. This is a trend we hope will continue in the coming years to even up the gender gaps in the industry.
"We welcome and positively encourage females into construction.
"Its all about thoroughly explaining the requirements to candidates, breaking down the stereotypical ideas and allowing them to see classes taking place so they can see the environment they will be working in before they start.
We also have a female tutor on our team, so we are leading by example."
