BRIGHT spark Amy Kosmala has become Gloucestershire's first female electrical approved contractor.
Now Amy, 35, is hoping other women will follow in her footsteps in the traditionally male dominated industry of electrical contracting.
She had previously spent ten years in New Zealand as a farmer where she discovered a love of practical, skilled work that allowed her to work independently.
After returning to the UK, Amy, who lives in Stroud, decided that working in the electrical sector would allow her to continue to work for herself, yet remain hands on. She completed a three year City and Guilds 2330 course in Electrical Installation and juggled working alongside qualified electricians to gain experience while studying for her qualification with Gloucestershire College. Amy set up her own business, AIK Electrical and registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contractors (NICEIC), initially as a domestic installer on their Part P scheme, and has since been accepted by NICEIC as Gloucestershire's first female approved contractor.
She said: "I really enjoy my work and have built up my business. There is no better time for a woman to become an electrical contractor and if I can give them any encouragement I will. Becoming an NICEIC Approved Contractor has enabled me to develop my career even further, as it has provided me with access to fantastic support and information, which has been invaluable in the early years of my business."
