Belfast City Council has become the first local authority in Northern Ireland to back a campaign aimed at steering more young women into male-dominated trades.

The council signed up as a champion for the #NotJustForBoys initiative, run by Women’s Tec, which works to help young women and girls enter and stay in employment in sectors such as construction, gardening, transport and mechanics where they are underrepresented.

As part of the move, the council is currently recruiting apprentice painters and decorators and says this is a strong opportunity for women to break into a skilled trade. The apprenticeship combines on-the-job experience with a recognised qualification, allowing successful candidates to earn while they learn.

Councillor Ian McLaughlin, chair of the council’s strategic policy and resources committee, stated that the campaign is designed to get young females in schools to consider careers they may have thought were out of reach. He said the council would provide the training, supportive environment and mentorship needed for female tradespeople to succeed. The initiative also aligns with the council’s Gender Action Plan, which aims to close the gender pay gap and foster equality in employment across all council roles.

Helen Kerr, head of business development at Women’s Tec, welcomed the council’s backing, saying it was important not only for the practical support but for the message it sends about gender equality and the need for collective action. She added that creating opportunities for women and girls is a shared responsibility that requires leadership from across the community.

The strategic partnership will see the council host hands-on skills taster sessions and offer specialised work experience placements within its trade departments. The apprenticeship recruitment drive remains open until Monday 29 June.