Connie’s Story

Please tell us about yourself, what you did before and your current role.

After being turned away from a plumbing course at age 16, I was a student completing my A-levels while also working as a part-time BG gymnastics coach. At age 16 I went to view a trades college, and in my opinion, was pushed in the direction of 6th form rather than a college full of boys. The negativity about a girl being “unprotected” from joining a trade shocked me, so after completing my A-levels and getting good grades, I decided I still wanted to get involved in the trade industry. I noticed renewables were the future, so I decided to jump straight in and reach out on LinkedIn for some work. I got a job very quickly afterward and have been completing the Level 3 Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship ever since. The change between 2022 and 2024 was incredible. The amount of support I had from the industry rather than the school system baffled me. I am now in my 3rd and final year at LSBTC while working on-site 4 days a week, with a great company called Rendesco, getting to install, maintain, and work on low-carbon heating systems.

Why is your role important to your organisation and to the people of the UK/the UK economy?

As I am one of eight students in the first cohort undertaking this course, I am not only teaching the company I am with but also proving that you don’t need any previous on-site knowledge to do something new and emerging. I count as a blank slate—other people on the course have a few years of plumbing experience on-site, so I am helping the course directors manage the work to fit someone with no previous experience. This is beneficial for the industry because we are in need of more engineers to get involved to help fill the demand as we move into a low carbon planet.

I noticed renewables were the future, so I decided to jump straight in and reach out on LinkedIn for some work. I got a job very quickly afterward and have been completing the Level 3 Low Carbon Heating Technician Apprenticeship ever since.

What path did you use to get to the position you hold today?

I posted on LinkedIn! LinkedIn is a great platform to reach business owners on a large scale. Creating those connections is so important for your learning and in my experience allowing me to get a job! Businesses want to see your drive for the task this shows you standing out from the crowd of students that do the bare minimum.

What attracted you to join the energy sector?

It’s a growing industry and if we are going by law it’s only going to get bigger to meet net zero targets. This was appealing to me as it meant there was huge opportunity, huge space for growth, good pay as people are in demand and I get to do something that betters the planet. I saw no downside. I got to write my future.

Which parts of the job do you enjoy most / find most rewarding?

I get job satisfaction from fixing things that are broken. I love to service and maintain heating systems because you are bettering someone’s home. I love to meet a variety of people and I like to see them smile when things get fixed!

What does an average day consist of?

Arrive on site, assess the job, step by step plan in place, start work, take notes, ask questions, chat to the customer, hands on tasks based around a variety.

What are your career aspirations?

One day I hope to be a director of my own renewable installation company made up of a majority of female employees. I want to do this to prove women can do anything a man wants to do. This breaks down those outdated stereotypes.

And finally, would you recommend it to anyone thinking about joining the energy sector?

Yes absolutely! Tell people what you want. The industry needs it.