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Female Bricklayer Reveals Sexist Comments She Faces At Work

Female Bricklayer Reveals Sexist Comments She Faces At Work

She says she's been suffering from sexist comments since her apprenticeship began in 2017

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

A female bricklayer from Glasgow has opened up about the sexist comments she has received at work.

Nicole Carlin, 22, is a construction worker who says she's been facing 'sexist' comments and 'tomboy' assumptions since her apprenticeship began in 2017.

She claims some workers have referred to her as the 'downfall of the industry' and ask her why she isn't 'fetching the tea'.

Kennedy News and Media

Nicole, who lives in Lanarkshire, said: "I tend to find it's the older generation who take more issue with me being a female bricklayer.

"They have older traditional ways as they're used to things being a certain way - females were never seen on sites before.

"They can get a bit sexist. You'll get comments, sometimes you'll hear stuff like 'why aren't you getting the tea?'."

Nicole is determined to shut down the haters, adding that away from the hard hat and hi-vis combo at work, she still books 'girly' hair and nail appointments in her free time.

She added: "I'm still girly but you can't really show that at work. Outside work, I like doing my hair, my makeup, my eyelashes and stuff."

Kennedy News and Media

However, the support and encouragement from women around her has made Nicole more determined than ever to inspire other girls to go into the industry.

Nicole continued: "My main goal is to breakdown some myths that it is just a man's job and I'd like girls to know that this is a great career choice to definitely think about.

"At my company there are four other girls - one joiner and three painters. There are a lot more girls who are applying to get into construction jobs.

"Every female I've come across that's either at work, college, meetings, anywhere, we are all very supportive of each other and it is really nice to meet other women across construction.

"I feel lucky as the sexism hasn't affected me in any major way but that's probably down to the support system I have around me.

Kennedy News and Media

"A lot more people nowadays are open to the idea of a female bricklayer."

Nicole initially became interested in construction after her friends started to take woodwork for their GCSE's and decided that she like a career that involved something 'hands on'.

Despite her family being 'shocked' with the news that the make-up loving teenager wanted a different career path, they have supported her throughout.

Nicole went on to complete a college course in construction and is now nearing the end of a three-year apprenticeship with an additional Advance Craft award.

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: sexism, Scotland, Glasgow