MCS, the UK’s quality assurance scheme for small-scale renewable energy and heating, wants to showcase the female-led MCS certified contractor. Your Energy Your Way was founded in 2018. It is a Surrey-based business that installs and maintains hundreds of heat pumps and solar panels across south-east England with a workforce of over 50 percent women.
The company wants to champion their female talent as part of this year’s International Women’s Day in an effort to inspire inclusion and empower more women to pursue careers in the renewable energy sector.
Trainee renewable installer, Lisa, 43, from Hayes and Harlington, said she pursued a career with Your Energy Your Way as she had a particular passion for wanting to help the planet. She hadn’t worked in the sector before but felt driven to give it a go.
“The women I get to work with every day are utterly amazing” Lisa said. “We have a wide range of ages, backgrounds and skillsets and when we go out on the job, we're changing attitudes and opening people's minds by being different than the status quo and I think that's brilliant. Being a female installer in the industry is a great step forward for female empowerment and equality and I'm very excited to be part of pushing those boundaries.”
Lisa has urged women to have confidence, believe in themselves and give the renewables industry a go – if they are interested in pursuing a career in it.
“There is a role to suit every skillset and the community of people in the renewables sector - both men and women, are more often than not inclusive, accepting, and eager to help where they can” she added.
Your Energy Your Way was founded by Leah Robson in 2018, however her business has been MCS certified since 2010, from when the business operated under a different name.
Lisa, who wants to eventually move into designing heating and solar systems as well as help train up new recruits, said working with her director, Leah, is a ‘fascinating experience’.
“As someone else who has changed career paths a few times and has represented women in the construction sector, it's really reassuring to me that she understands the challenges we face because she's been there herself” she said. “Her and I have very different personalities - I'm mostly a behind the scenes type who prefers to focus on tools and how things work; Leah is constantly dealing with people and all of their problems with such compassion, while juggling so many things at one time. I honestly don't know how she does it, but I'm grateful that she does. She's put together an amazing team and is constantly looking for ways to always push forward and do things better.”
“Lisa is an absolutely fantastic member of our team and I am so happy to have her working with us and excelling day in, day out” Leah added. “Lisa’s message to women on International Women’s Day is an important one, if you have thought about joining the renewable sector and doing your bit for the environment then just go for it. We need more women in the sector to bring new talent and perspectives.
MCS is committed to inspiring inclusion within the renewable sector. They are proud of the work Your Energy Your Way is doing and hope their achievements inspire more female installers to join the industry.
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