Rising number of women turning to DIY amid recession

London, August 18 (ANI): A rising number of women are turning to 'Do It Yourself' (DIY) and skilled trades amid the recession, it has been revealed.

Women are enrolling on training courses to learn crafts such as plastering, decorating, plumbing and tiling.

While some want to save money by improving their own homes, others are setting up their own businesses after being made redundant or opting for career changes.

DIY workshops across the country organised by B and Q have experienced a five-fold increase in female take up in the last year.

Over 3,200 enrolled in classes to learn skills such as plastering, wall tiling, changing taps and hanging wallpaper in July 2012 as compared to 592 at the same point last year.

There was a 92 percent increase between January and July this year alone - up from 1,698.

"Whether it's to save money, avoid being ripped off or to just increase confidence around the home, women are skilling up," the Daily Mail quoted a B and Q spokeswoman as saying.

Statistics show that women are also embarking on training to allow them to enter the male dominated skilled trades sector.

JTL, the leading training provider to the building services sectors, has seen a five-fold increase in demand from women apprentices.

Just six women signed up for plumbing or electrical apprenticeships in 2001 compared to 30 in 2010.

And around 600 women are currently registered with the Gas Safe Register, which means they can legally carry out gas work. In April 2009, the figure was around 500. (ANI)