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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Laura Mills & Milica Cosic

Self-proclaimed 'glam girl' told she's too PRETTY for dream job as electrician

A self-proclaimed 'glam-girl' has revealed the shockingly sexist remarks she has received for working as an electrician - including dealing with men taking pictures of her while she works.

Teneisha Musumeci, 21, says that despite having a desire to learn a trade, she did not quite know what in particular she wanted to do.

But following a successful pre- apprenticeship, Teneisha was offered a position with her current company at the age of 19.

She aims that by undertaking this role, she wants to prove that her trade isn't solely for a 'man's world'.

However, Teneisha says that her missing has not been quite as smooth sailing as she thought. In fact, the 19-year-old has revealed she has been subjected to odd behaviour and sexist remarks while on site.

Teneisha Musumeci, 21, says she always wanted to learn a trade but wasn't quite sure what specific one to do (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)
Despite making it her mission to prove her job isn't solely for a 'man's world', she has admitted it hasn't always been smooth sailing (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)

Recalling a few incidents, Teneisha said: "One time I was at work and this old man literally started taking pictures of me while I was working.

"On another occasion, one of the lads on site actually followed me around for hours."

She went on to explain that she also receives back-handed comments while working, saying: "And, of course, I've had all those comments such as, I'm 'too pretty' or 'too glam' to be doing a job like this.

"I'm definitely very glam out of work but at work we wear long work trousers, high-vis vests and work boots, so I don't need to comment on that!"

Teneisha has garnered plenty of attention on TikTok for posting her job. A recent video of her detailing her life as a sparky racked up over half million views on the social media site, where she got hundreds of comments from women supporting her.

The 21-year-old has said she does occasionally get 'sexist comments from men, as well as some behaving weird' around her (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)
Teneisha was offered a position with her current company at the age of 19 (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)

One person wrote: "As a woman I think this so empowering to watch," and another said: "Love seeing girls on site!"

And a third chimed in saying: "Love seeing girls in the trade, my wife’s a dual trade sparky/instro."

And another questioned how she could start the steps of being a sparky, adding "I’m scared men will totally judge me on it," where Teneisha replied saying: "Never let mens' thoughts stop you."

Teneisha, from Perth, Western Australia, went on to say that she has always been "set on doing a trade" and is 'so happy in her job and glad she chose it', despite the weird comments she gets.

The tradie continued: "My experience in this job has been positive overall, but I've received sexist comments from men, as well as some behaving weird around me.

"It annoys me because some of my colleagues are wearing the same clothes and they don't get the same remarks made at them.

"I don't really understand the comments, it's so stupid, but luckily I've seen such an increase in women in this trade over the past few years."

The self-proclaimed 'glam-girl' shares her working life on TikTok to empower other women (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)
Teneisha has been working hard in her role ever since finishing a pre-apprenticeship (Teneisha Musumeci / CATERS NEWS)

Revealing that there are many more women dominating the industry she is in, she added that there are around 10 women in the company now - and her best friend even works with her, "which is amazing!".

The Australian says that her boss has addressed all the behaviour on the site, and dealt with it in a 'brilliant' manner. Her colleagues all look out for each other, while sticking up for her too, she adds.

Despite not being 100 per cent sure on what job she actually wanted to take on, Teneisha says that she knew she wanted to work in a trade, adding: "In Perth I feel like we're encouraged to do any job you like, whatever gender, so I did a six-month course into electrics.

"It's called a pre-apprenticeship where you get to do work experience and that's how I got this job as the employers offered me a role.

"I definitely recommend other women get into this industry as there are positions available and women in this role has been normalised."

And in offering her own expertise to other women considering to take up the job, she said: "If I could offer advice, I'd say definitely do the pre-apprenticeship, so you know what to expect from the job.

"In terms of any sexist comments, stick up for yourself, and your colleagues will have your back!"

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