Pictured above: Plumbers Karina and Rachel at whg's Skills Centre

Two trailblazing apprentices have challenged convention and left their legacy at one of the Midlands' top construction training centres.

Karina Patel and Rachel Toor have become the first women to complete a plumbing apprenticeship at Walsall Housing Group's (whg) Skills Centre.  The women are now confidently making their way in the industry.

Karina, aged 21 and of West Browmich, is a self-employed plumber fitting out new build flats and houses and 20-year-old Rachel, of Wolverhampton, is researching job opportunities in Canada, where she has family.

Their success has been celebrated by the team at the fully-equipped centre, which is at the fore of construction training and caters for school leavers, apprentices and trades professionals. It is owned and run by whg, Walsall's leading provider of affordable and quality homes for rent.

Trainer assessor Ernie Chatterfield said: "Rachel and Karina have worked extremely hard throughout their time with us and fully deserve their awards.  I hope they are as proud of themselves as I am as their tutor. 

"It has been a pleasure to train and guide them over the last few years and I wish them every success as working plumbers."

Ernie said hopes were high that other women would follow in their footsteps and consider a trade as a viable and rewarding career option.

Rachel, who previously attended Pool Hayes Arts & Community School, Willenhall, said she was thrilled to have achieved a recognised qualification in a traditionally male dominated field.

"I want to break through the glass ceiling and believe there is a definite gap in the market for women in the trades.  In my experience certain groups of people, like the elderly, prefer to have a woman working in their home."

Karina, a former pupil at George Salter Collegiate Academy, said: "I knew I wanted to do something out of the ordinary and am so pleased I did. I really enjoyed my training with whg as I had a lot of support to help me learn the skills."

Plumbing is just one of the construction apprenticeships available to committed learners at The Skills Centre. Other trades' training on offer covers bricklaying, carpentry, plastering and electrical skills.

To find out more about the opportunities available, contact the centre on 0845 155 0310, email skillscentre@whgrp.co.uk or visit the site in Hollemeadow Avenue, Leamore, Walsall, WS3 1JD.