Women's power in craftsmanship

Maya is 21 years old and an apprentice bricklayer. On her Instagram channel @scheel.maya, she takes her followers into her professional everyday life. Her mission: to encourage young people, especially women, to dare to pursue a training in craftsmanship.

Hey Maya, you are almost done with your training, why did you choose to train in craftsmanship three years ago?

I consciously chose to train in craftsmanship because I have a lot of fun building something with my own hands and being part of something great.

To participate and witness how the construction progress grows day by day, so that in the end I can say: "Hey, I contributed to that, I built that," has always been a childhood dream of mine.

Craftsmanship is a shared experience, I love this special teamwork. Everyone pulls together and shares the same passion, namely the love for craftsmanship and for working together.

What is special to you about your work?

The special thing about my job is that I see and also feel every day and every evening what I have accomplished that day. Whether it's seeing how the construction progress is advancing or the physical exertion.

Above all, that I can be proud of having chosen this profession. To be proud of my craft and to be able to show every day what I have accomplished with my own hands, regardless of whether I am a man or a woman.

That sounds very inspiring. Why would you recommend other young women to learn a trade profession?

I would recommend other young women to pursue a trade profession because the trades are simply something incredibly wonderful. I find it very unfortunate that most young women are still led to believe that the trades are only for men, because that is absolutely not true. As a woman, I can also engage in manual work and pursue a trade profession. Unfortunately, many young people no longer want to engage physically and get involved, which is another reason why the trades are increasingly dying out.

After all, a trade profession is the best thing one can do, regardless of whether one is a woman or a man. Because only together can we build something great, and gender is irrelevant, as long as one shows interest and enjoys manual work. 

You as a "woman on the construction site" - have you already been confronted with the classic prejudices (too weak, too small, too pretty etc.) and how do you react to that?

I think every woman is initially confronted with prejudices, remarks like: "She won't last long anyway", "She can never lift that" etc. are unfortunately very common.

At first, I took such statements to heart, but over time I became aware that I can work just as well as a man, even though I am a woman.

Over time, I have gotten used to simply letting such remarks bounce off me. Therefore, my motto with such statements is: Ignore and give 200% to prove the person wrong.

Do you see a change in thinking or changes in the trades (regarding young talent and especially women in the trades)?

No matter for whom – the trades need to become more attractive again.

Many are still very put off by the trades, which is a shame, after all, we rely on capable professionals in the trades.

I see jobs in the trades as extremely future-proof with good prospects and high development potential.

You contacted us back then because you were already a fan of our brand and wanted to work with us. What do you pay attention to in work clothing and safety shoes, and why did you choose ALBATROS?

I chose ALBATROS because I have been looking for robust yet comfortable work clothes for a long time.

I find it extremely important that the workwear adapts to my body movements and that I can work physically active without any restrictions. This also includes feeling comfortable in it while still being protected - in wind and weather.

With safety shoes, I value that the shoes still feel comfortable after a long workday, adapt to my foot, and support it.

Since ALBATROS also supports these values and ensures that their products meet the needs of their customers, I chose them and have not regretted it.

Are there specific requirements that workwear must meet for your profession?

Definitely. It should be robust, weather-resistant, and still comfortable. This also applies to safety shoes, which I often wear all day. It is not only important but absolutely necessary that the shoes are comfortable and easy to wear.

That's understandable. Would you say that function is more important than design?

Of course, the function of workwear is paramount. But who doesn't enjoy it when the clothes are also fashionable and look good?! I certainly prefer to wear workwear when I like it and it suits me, because that just makes you feel better overall.

You have been active on Instagram for a while and let your community participate in your daily work as a bricklayer. What role does social media play for you and what is your mission?

At first, social media didn't play a really big role for me. 

I started showing my craft projects on Instagram for fun and then realized how many people are really interested in it and that you can reach many more young people through social media.

This has naturally led to an increase in my reach on Instagram, and I have realized how much fun I have showing young people my profession and especially helping young girls overcome their fears or prejudices about the trades.

That's exactly what I'm about, I want to encourage more women to choose a trade profession and help them establish themselves in the trades. I remember that I was very reserved and shy at the beginning of my training, and I would have been happy if there had been another woman in the trades. My mission is to be the role model for other young girls that I wished I had back then.

That's great! A real #rolemodel then! If you had a wish for the future, what would it be?

I hope that in the future, more women will dare to enter the trades. That the trades do not die out and that many young people recognize how great it actually is and how proud one can be of something like that!

Thank you very much, Maya!