Brontë Hogarth

Brontë Hogarth

Apprentice Painter and Decorator

Second-year Painting and Decorating Apprentice Brontë Hogarth discusses her passion for her course and why women should enter the construction industry. 

I first discovered my passion for painting and decorating when I started a new job working from home during the lockdown. I painted masonry at my house and then decorated part of my neighbour’s house. This is when it hit me that I quite enjoyed painting and that I should pursue it as a new career path. I had previously been working in a lab but didn’t enjoy doing it on a daily basis. I began looking for jobs online and saw an advertisement for an apprentice painter and decorator with a housing association. I was offered the position and beat over 200 applicants.  

I was attracted to studying at Leeds College of Building as I had previously heard a lot of good things about it. I really enjoy the practical workshop days and practising spraying techniques. The tutors are always nice and helpful, especially if there is anything you are stuck with. They provide different solutions to help you achieve the look you desire. 

In the future, I would really like to have my own business with an all-female team that specialises in interior, exterior and furniture decoration. There’s so much opportunity for women in the construction industry as long as you're brave and willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone. My advice for females thinking of studying at Leeds College of Building is to not be intimidated. I was worried at first, but you are just as strong and have as many practical skills as your male counterparts. Diversity brings insights that may not have been present before. In addition, customers typically welcome female tradespeople.  

For women that may be afraid of joining the construction industry, don’t let anyone make you think you can’t do something because you’re a woman, it’s not true. The empowerment you feel from leaving a customer’s house knowing you’ve made it look that great is an unbeatable feeling. The only person that stops you from achieving anything is yourself, other people’s opinions shouldn’t matter. As for dealing with sexism, I’ve experienced fewer sexist comments and misogyny in this industry than in any other industry I’ve worked in previously. Leaving science and going into a trade was the best thing I’ve ever done.