“Go for it," a Watford plumber has told girls and young women thinking about a career in the male-dominated trade.

Alice Illidge, who lives in Garston, travels across Hertfordshire and into London for her business Little Miss Plumbing & Heating.

The 29-year-old mum joined the trade 12 years ago when she applied for a general home maintenance apprenticeship programme with Sanctuary Housing Association as she didn’t want to be “stuck behind a desk”.

After earning her qualifications, she worked for the provider until she had her daughter three years ago and set up as a sole trader.

Watford Observer: Alice has been in the trade for 12 years after joining an apprenticeship at age 17.Alice has been in the trade for 12 years after joining an apprenticeship at age 17. (Image: Alice Illidge)

She says “go for it” to girls and young women thinking of following her footsteps into a career in the trade.

“I think that women are more than capable of doing jobs like this and if they put their mind to it then it’s very rewarding,” Alice added.

“Some people don’t think they’re going to get a woman, and they’re the ones that are like ‘oh, is she going to be able to do it?’.

“We come in all shapes and sizes and there’s actually lots of women plumbers out there. You just don’t see us very often because we’re still quite a minority.”

Watford Observer: Her company Little Miss Plumbing & Heating now employs two other female tradesmen.Her company Little Miss Plumbing & Heating now employs two other female tradesmen. (Image: Alice Illidge)

A government report in January 2023 found that 95 per cent of plumbers were male, and Alice recalled how some customers used to ask her “when is the plumber going to turn up?”.

But the sexist remarks have largely disappeared now since she launched her own business, which also employs two other women.

Alice said people prefer to hire a female plumber for a variety of reasons, including that they think they’re more approachable.

Watford Observer: She offers plumbing, heating and tiling services in Hertfordshire and north London.She offers plumbing, heating and tiling services in Hertfordshire and north London. (Image: Alice Illidge)

She feels some women might not want a man in the house when they’re on their own, while it also allows Muslim women to take off their headscarves in her presence.

The plumber grew up in Northwood and went to school in Rickmansworth before she joined the apprentice programme at 17.

Watford Observer: Alice works across Hertfordshire and north London.Alice works across Hertfordshire and north London. (Image: Alice Illidge)

Now she has been able to take on a trainee herself, a woman in her 30s, who is changing career paths from working as a cleaner, and she has plans to employ more in the future.

“I would like to keep it a small company but I do hope to train up more women so they can have good jobs as well,” Alice added.

Contact Little Miss Plumbing & Heating on 07962 491600 or on the Nextdoor website for more information.