Celebrating our female team members on International Women’s Day!
We’re very proud to have so many talented women on our growing team. Here they give their tips for any women thinking of joining our sector.
March 8 is International Women’s Day – the day to celebrate the achievements of women worldwide – so we thought it would be a good opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our amazing female team members.
Our sector has historically been very male dominated, but our founder Andrew and our director of operations Anthony D’Auria truly value having a diverse team and offering opportunities for all. That’s why we have far more female employees that many similar businesses – and they’re a huge asset for our company, covering everything from on-site engineering to office-based support.
The first woman to join our team, in 2016, was our contract support officer Kisha Hulland. She supervises a team of women in our Swansea office, carrying out various roles within our team. She explains her work:
“Throughout the day at ADS we mainly solve problems, from a customer who can’t use their new thermostat to just giving reassurance regarding the electrical test appointments we carry out on behalf of Pobl housing association – the problems come from all directions. We are a strong team in and out of work and luckily, we all have a very good sense of humour, which helps us face all challenges.”
Three other valued members of support team are our tenant liaison officers Emili Staddon, who helps deliver the Nest scheme, enabling lower income earners to have new boilers and heating systems, and Hannah Thomas and Chelsee Cann, who assist Pobl housing association in carrying out essential electricity works within their properties.
“It’s so rewarding knowing that we’re helping people and ensuring their homes are safe,” says Emili. “I love dealing with all the different types of people we come across within these roles – it keeps the job interesting to say the least! It’s just so nice to know we’re helping and serving the communities of south and west Wales.”
Hannah and Chelsee also love their work – especially the variety it brings.
“Every day is different. Every job is different. Every customer you talk to is different,” says Chelsee. “I’m constantly dealing with people and trying to help them. It can be quite tasking at times, but also so rewarding. The team within the office are amazing to work with. I’ve never been in an office environment before, as I’d previously only worked in retail. I feel like I’ve adapted well within the office.”
Also in our head office is our accountant Sian Lloyd, who joined us after many years in an accountancy practice, bringing a full set of indispensable skills and knowledge. She says she enjoys the atmosphere at ADS: “Even though it is still professional here it’s a bit more relaxed and fun,” she says.
She works alongside accounts and HR officer Danielle Baker – our founder Andrew’s sister – who says it’s been easy to adapt to working in a male dominated environment.
“After working for 20 years in mainly a female orientated industry, coming into a prominently male workforce hasn’t been so different,” she says. “When I started at ADS we were a three women team in the office, and we have now eight women officed based. We have 4 women that work on the tools, and they aren’t treated any differently.”
Another key member of our head office team is our marketing officer Gemma Dawkins, who co-ordinates everything from IT solutions alongside Kisha Hulland to keep our team connected and secure online through to creating our website and keeping in touch with our customers via our social media channels. She also helps us connect with our local communities:
“We focus heavily on the community by getting involved with charity events such as the everyone deserves a Christmas campaign with Swansea City AFC Foundation and Carolyn Harris MP, Fifty Families campaign, with our partner Pobl Group, and the Carten annual bike ride, where our MD Andrew and ADS team members cycle from Cardiff to Tenby,” she says. “We’ve also provided Buddy Benches to schools around Wales to help friendships – and there’s lot more to come!”
We’re also enormously proud of our female gas engineers, their skills as a gas engineers mean they have a full understanding of the issues faced by our customers and can provide valuable support and guidance.
Claudia Covelli, another of our gas engineers, was drawn to her career because she has loved repairing things ever since she was a child.
“As a child I was always taking toys apart and fixing them – I got a sense of satisfaction from that,” she says. “I love the fact each day is different, I love meeting new people, and my workmates are fun to be around too.”
Another one of our gas engineers, agrees.
“I like the variety of my job – it can be challenging but also rewarding upon job completion,” she says. “When you stand back and look at the finished job and see the improvement, or when you have repaired a broken boiler and you feel that job satisfaction, it’s great.
I’ve always been more of a practical worker so being on the tools is perfect for me – I wouldn’t be able to sit in an office everyday as I get restless.”
Recruiting women has brought valuable perspectives and talent to our team, and our director of operations Anthony D’Auria is committed to recruiting more women; we already have several female apprentices learning the ropes. One of these is Natalie Williams, who decided to train as a plumber after years of wanting a job in the sector.
“I’d always been a bit too shy to go into it because I saw it as a men’s trade,” she says. “My brother and my brother-in-law are both builders and I’ve always helped out on the weekends – and I’ve always wanted to be active as well. After COVID I decided to make the move and I’m really enjoying it – it’s a lot more physical; I come home feeling like I’ve been to the gym, and there’s a lot more to do than if you’re sitting in an office all day.”
Anthony is delighted to be building the team with female recruits.
“One of the great things about ADS is our team spirit – we’re like a big family and in fact, a fair portion of our team are members of the same family!” he says. “We feel that having a diverse team is a huge benefit to our business and to our customers. We love how everyone pulls together and how between us we can deliver everything from skilled engineering solutions to excellent customer support. I’d like to thank our female team members for their ongoing hard work and outstanding abilities. They’re vital to the success of ADS.”
Are you a woman considering entering our sector? Here are some top tips from our female team members:
Emili Staddon, tenant liaison officer:
“My advice for women wanting to get into this sector would firstly be to have a sense of humour – you definitely need one! Secondly, you need to be caring and empathetic to people’s needs and just generally want to help. Also, some days you need to have a thick skin, because not everyone wants your help or services.”
Chelsee, tenant liaison officer:
“I agree that you need thick skin. Guys have got banter in the workplace that most women haven’t come across before. A lot of people working in this sector take great pleasure in taking the mickey out of you, so don’t trip up. Have a good sense of humour – if you can get their banter and laugh at it, you’ll go home in a great mood.”
Suzanne Powell, gas engineer and leader of the ADS Cwmbran team:
“I have always enjoyed the company of men and the banter, but you must be thick skinned and not take offence or this could ruin you. This has not happened to me as I just join in with it.
“I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone as you prove to employers that you are capable of learning. This is what they look for later in life in employment. Working in this sector will give you so much more than employment: it will give you confidence, resilience and most of all pride in yourself and the work that you do. You will have lifetime skills that no-one can take from you.”
Claudia Covelli, gas engineer:
“The tips I would give to women getting into this sector are to have a good sense of humour and really have a passion for it. Do a job you enjoy as it makes work go faster.
Also, always wear knee pads and look after your body – it’s a physical and demanding job.”
Another one of our gas engineers said:
“Get your head in the books and don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll find a lot of engineers work differently, so ask what they’re doing and you’ll learn from each engineer. Pick up as many tips and tricks as you can from them.
“From personal experience I’ve had a lot of positive feedback for being a female in the trade but you can get the odd bit of negativity. Most positive feedback comes from customers (mainly women and the elderly); they often comment when I arrive at their property that they weren’t expecting a woman, but they love it and agree that we should see more women in trades.
“Don’t let the odd negative comment put you off but instead prove those minority wrong by delivering quality work and showing them we are just as capable as men. One final tip: quality over quantity – take pride in your work!”
One of our apprentice plumber mentions:
“If you’re tempted to enter the trade, don’t be too shy about it: just get stuck in – as a woman you’re not treated any differently, you’re just one of the team. I would definitely advise girls to get into it – it’s a great career.”
Photo Source – Pixabay.com / ADS