Female electrician, 24, claims male customers ask for a second opinion and question ‘why she’s not making sandwiches’ – but insists she LOVES her work

•  Bethany Andrews, 24, from Kent, works as an industrial electrician
•  Said she loves her job but doesn’t like the negative sexist comments 
•  Revealed men sometimes doubt her skills and ask for a second opinion
•  Said showing her work on social media has made her more confident 

A female electrician has said she loves everything about her job – except the male customers doubting her ability.

Bethany Andrews, 24, an industrial electrician, from Kent, UK, had concerns about embarking on a career in an industry which is heavily male-led.

Despite encouragement and continued support from her family and friends, Beth has had to deal with negative sexist comments.

She’s even had to deal with incidents where male customers will demand a second opinion, believing her expertise is lacking due to her sex.

Bethany Andrews, 24, an industrial electrician, from Kent, has said she loves everything about her job – except the male customers doubting her ability 

A female sparky: Beth says she loves working as an industrial electrician and feels she is inspiring a new generation of younger women to try the job 

Beth says people often think she is not up to the job and question her opinions as she is female and young

Beth said: ‘I’ve had customers doubt my ability. When I diagnose a fault and tell them the outcome, they say they want a second opinion. I don’t know if it’s because I’m female or that I’m young – or both?

‘I also get the “why aren’t you making sandwiches” comment however, being in this industry, you need thick skin, so I’m not bothered by the remarks.

‘And I get the odd stare that lingers a bit too long and makes me feel uncomfortable.’

However, her thick skin has helped her thrive in her career and Beth is inspiring a future generation of females to choose this industry for their profession. 

The 24-year-old posts videos of herself working on her Instagram account and jokes that she spends all her money on tools 

Beth (pictured here working as an electrician) said she decided to take up the trade after realising she could wire a plug faster than anyone else she knew  

Beth initially went to college to study travel and tourism, but then a friend said she wasn’t fulfilling her potential so she changed course

Beth (pictured) usually works on her own but says on the occasions she works with other people she always has a laugh while getting the job done

Family genes: Beth says her family of three generations is full of motor mechanics, engineers and electricians 

Recently she has stepped into the world of social media creating an Instagram page @beth_electrical dedicated to her journey as a female electrician, which she states has made her more confident.

Beth said: ‘I only started my account in January this year. I’ve never been one for social media so this was really stepping out of my comfort zone.

‘Generally, most people are very respectful and make me feel welcome.

‘Most people are on social media are lovely and I’ve been getting messages from other women saying I’ve inspired them to get into the trade which is so heart warming.’

Beth also states the older generation who work in the same industry have welcomed her with open arms.

She said: ‘Before I started, I was concerned there would be a stigma and strong beliefs against me in this role, especially from the older people on site as they are from a generation where the woman traditionally stays at home and cooks whilst the man goes to work.

‘I shouldn’t have made this presumption as they’ve been so welcoming and have taught me so much. Even my work bestie is of that generation.

‘I usually work on my own, but on the occasion, I’m working with someone else, we’ll have a laugh and get the job done. It’s a really good atmosphere.’

Beth (pictured) believes some male customers don’t particularly rate her at work as she is a young woman 

Beth (pictured here with a sweet on her tongue) initially had concerns about embarking on a career in an industry which is heavily male-led

Recently Beth (pictured here at work) has started posting about her job on Instagram under @beth_electrical

Beth at work: She says the older generation have welcomed her with open arms and been very supportive 

Beth comes from a family of mechanics and engineers, with relatives working on the railways or being domestic electricians

Beth said her love for electrics runs in the family. 

She said: ‘When I was a kid, I would play with JCB plastic tools as well as barbies. So I think there was always something in me that liked the idea of construction. 

‘And I have motor mechanics and engineers in my family.

‘My uncle who lives in Scotland is a domestic electrician and my brother-in-law is an electrician on the railway. My great grandad who lives in Scotland was also an electrician.’

Revealing how she finally decided to embark on this career, Beth said she beat a whole heap of lads to wire up a plug in the fastest time.

She said: ‘I decided to study travel and tourism, but in the summer holidays between starting college, my friend said she thought I had more potential and should choose something else.

‘I phoned the college and asked to change my course to electrical installations.

‘I went to an open day and for some reason I dragged my friends along with me to the electrical department. 

‘I had to wire up a plug and I did it in the quickest time out of everyone.’

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