Female Competence-Based Training (CBT Construction) students at the Tema Technical Institute (TTI) have appealed to industry players to recognise their efforts and provide them with practical opportunities.
The students, who said their passion drove them into studying in a male-dominated field, noted that one of the biggest challenges was getting construction companies to give them internship opportunities.
They said the course entailed a lot of practical field activities every term, but were unable to get companies to assist in that direction.
Out of a CBT Construction class of 47 in TTI, only six are females who are determined to become engineers in the future.
Miss Erica Atta Botchway, an 18-year-old construction student, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that “Sometimes when they see my body, they question me if I can really do it.”
She said it was important for the companies to help them to upgrade and acquire knowledge and the skills needed for the future.
Miss El-Han Sahan Ibrahim, Miss Stephanie Williams, and Miss Hannah Tanoh, all construction students, were of the view that society could support girls and women to break the gender stereotypes of being asked to prove themselves before being given the challenging jobs or being given the opportunity to acquire practical trainings in industries.
“Most of the guys on the field think ladies cannot do some of the works like carrying blocks, laying, and mixing mortar; we always prove to them that being a lady does not mean we are weak; it’s not easy to be a lady.”
Miss Dorothy Narh, a 19-year-old final CBT Construction student, stated that industry players should help them fulfil their dreams as they have the strength to do the traditional male jobs.
They urged girls not to settle for the works that society ascribed to them, but rather put in effort to follow their dreams in achieving progress in male-dominated fields as they have the capability to do so.
They stressed the importance of family support and industry to get more females to grab the many job opportunities available in other fields and empower themselves to benefit all.
Source: GNA
