Plumb Job!

BREAKING into the male-dominated industry of plumbing has proved more than just a pipe dream for Bexhill secretary Lesley Pilbeam.The mum-of-three decided to swap the keyboard for the monkey wrench after a run-in with a patronising and surly male plumber.

Two years and an NVQ course later, Lesley is about to quit her successful career as personal assistant to the principal of Hastings College and launch a plumbing firm with business partner Scott Reid.

She explained: "I had a plumber round who overcharged me, fobbed me off and left the house in a mess. I was appalled and I wondered if I could do any better myself."

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Supported by her boss Julie Walker and husband Stuart, Leslie, of Beaconsfield Road, enrolled on a part-time plumbing course at Hastings College. It was there she teamed-up with Mr Reid and the pair took on part-time plumbing jobs together as the course progressed.

All the while Leslie managed to juggle her family life, two jobs and the course as well as hobbies including opera singing and amateur theatre. She added: "At first I thought I might not be up to the job physically so I started going to the gym, doing hand exercises and push-ups and it's honestly not been a problem."

Leslie is keen to play down the fact she is a woman in traditionally a man's job but admits she has been treated differently because of her sex. She said: "People have been surprised when I've turned up on jobs and look at me quizzically but they've soon gotten over it. It's something I'll have to get used to and I certainly don't want to play on the fact I'm a woman plumber.

"Some people may not be able to accept it but others, especially vulnerable people, might be more comfortable with a woman."

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Thousands of people have retrained as plumbers in recent years in response to a massive national shortage and Leslie says the earning possibilities have been a consideration in her career switch.

"I've got a very long way to go and a lot of learning to do yet," she added. "It's only the really experienced plumbers making mega money but even as a newcomer I can probably earn more than I did as a secretary. There are more opportunities."

Husband Stuart is a landscape gardener and builder and the couple have been able to put work each other's way.

"My family have been great." She added. "My son James was sceptical at first and thought the idea was a bit cheesy but he's seen how hard I've worked and how much I've enjoyed it and now he's really proud."

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Leslie is delighted that more women are taking the bold step of going into vocational careers. There are already more girls enrolled on plumbing courses at Hastings College and there has been massive interest for September.

She intends to take further plumbing and heating qualifications herself.

Leslie is determined that her new career with PR Plumbing Services will not get in the way of her other passion of singing. A prominent member of BLODS, she has appeared in more than 40 stage productions.

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