Hiring staff more efficiently

• The opportunity to work towards a wide range of professional, recognised qualifications
• Plenty of career advancement opportunities, no matter at what level a person starts
• The chance to put creative skills to the test in many different scenarios
• A huge variety of work
• A worldwide shortage of skilled construction and tradespeople means that once qualified, there is the choice of working overseas
• The satisfaction of helping to build something that will last for generations to come
• Opportunities to make a real difference to the surrounding environment.

So why aren't more women making the move into a career in construction?

According to ConstructionSkills, who last year launched a major advertising campaign to encourage young women to enter the building trade, these women are being put off traditionally male-dominated jobs because of poor careers advice.

"As an industry, we are taking the step of getting directly to young women to show them the range of amazing jobs on offer. We are also working with careers advisers to expand their knowledge of careers in construction, and to encourage them to rethink their attitude to careers in construction."

Those who do will find the financial rewards very appealing. An increase in the number of women moving into construction and skilled trades also provides an opportunity to redress the disparity in incomes that often exists between men and women.

As an example, a plumber's salary can be around £16,000 - £21,000 when starting out, through to around £21,000 - £30,000 when experienced. In comparison, a hairdresser receives only the national minimum wage at the beginning of their career and £10,000 - £16,000 when experienced.

For those women who aspire to be their own boss, a career in construction and trade may provide the perfect vehicle. A staggering 35 per cent of those working in the construction industry are self-employed, providing more scope for financial rewards and much sought after work/life balance.

As with anyone starting their own business, female construction workers or tradespeople who decide to be self-employed need to first do their homework before going into business and consider a broad range of issues.

These include:

1. Have you started planning for your business?
2. Do you know how to obtain finance?
3. Do you know which business structure suits your business?
4. Do you have all the required business registrations?
5. Do you know how to employ people?
6. Do you understand your taxation obligations?
7. Do you understand your legal requirements?
8. Have you set up record keeping and accounting systems?
9. Have you considered applying for tenders and contracts?
10. Have you arranged insurance?

Insurance in particular is vitally important to successfully running your own small business.

Key for those in the construction industry is Tradesman's Insurance; a tailor made collection of insurance covers that a tradesperson might need in order to protect themselves and their business.

This type of insurance covers most trades, including skilled plumbers, electricians and builders, from the common types of risks they may face and includes Public Liability cover and Employer's Liability cover (where needed), which is required under law if you have employees.

There are also additional bolt on options for specific requirements like tools cover, or personal accident cover which are usually sold separately.

With the right cover in place your customers will have more confidence in your business and will feel more comfortable inviting you into their home or business to carry out your work.

That said, as a woman you may already have a head start in this area - existing female plumbers and electricians have indicated that many of their customers feel safer and are more trusting of a woman than a man when it comes to hiring a tradesperson.

In this day and age, the opportunities are ready and waiting for women, and those who take full advantage of the largely untapped industries such as construction will almost certainly reap the benefits.

- Compare no-obligation, impartial tradesman insurance quotes online. It's fast and simple.