A PROPERTY maintenance company is organising an event to encourage more women to become tradespeople.

Fortis Property Care, a subsidiary of Fortis Living which provides more than 15,000 homes in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire, will run the Try a Trade day on Thursday, March 29.

The event, at the Building Block, Worcester Community Hub, Shap Drive, will offer women the chance to learn a whole range of skills, including plumbing, carpentry, electrics and painting and decorating.

Fortis Property Care currently employs 270 people, 30 of whom are women. Currently, there is only one woman with a trade job at the company: Georgina King, a gas engineer who has worked there since 2014, having qualified in 2006.

Fortis managing director Bill Tebay said: “The aim of this event is to encourage women to consider trades as a rewarding career option, challenge stereotypes and ultimately address the gender imbalance in our workplaces.

"As a major employer, we have a responsibility to shape a more inclusive work environment and are keen to attract women into the building trade.

"Diversity can help improve productivity, innovation and staff wellbeing and we would therefore like to encourage women to come along to this free event and try new skills out for themselves!”

The event will be split into three sessions, at 9.30am, 12.15pm and at 4.30pm, with 16 participants per session.

To book a place, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/try-a-trade-day-especially-for-women-tickets-43095694382.