Herlink
pathway
Supporting Women into Real Work in the Trades
GetaTrade HerLink is a women-led supported pathway designed to help women prepare for real, sustainable work in the trades.
We work alongside trusted partners, charities and support organisations to bridge the gap between support services and the realities of working on site.
HerLink is not a training college or an employer.
We focus on readiness, confidence, professionalism and progression
Who Herlink is for
HerLink is suitable for women who:
• Are considering work in the trades
• Have been referred by a trusted organisation
• Want realistic preparation rather than empty promises
• Are ready to engage with expectations and structure
All entry to HerLink is referral-based.
The herlink supported trade pathway
Our pathway is designed to prepare women for the realities of working in the trades, with particular focus on painting and decorating, while remaining adaptable to other routes.
The pathway includes:
✔ Trade Readiness & Reality Orientation
Participants gain a clear understanding of:
• What a real working day looks like
• Start times, travel and physical demands
• Working in homes, sites and shared environments
• Expectations around reliability and conduct
✔ Site Expectations & Professional Standards
We help women understand:
• Timekeeping and reliability
• Behaviour and communication on site
• Respect for clients, colleagues and property
• Safety awareness and knowing when to ask
✔ Professional Conduct Preparation
Participants explore:
• Communicating with clients and supervisors
• Handling feedback and mist takes
• Boundaries and professionalism
• Reputation and social media awareness
✔ Women-Led Confidence & Boundary Support
HerLink recognises the challenges of working in male-dominated environments and provides:
• Honest, women-led discussions
• Confidence without confrontation
• Boundary-setting and self-advocacy
• Knowing when to step back or walk away
✔ Trade Pathway Mapping
We support women to understand:
• Painting and decorating path ways
• PAYE and self-employed routes
• Progression options and realistic timelines
• Signposting to further training where appropriate
✔ Optional Mentored Exposure
Where suitable and agreed by all parties, HerLink may support:
• Shadowing opportunities
• Mentored introductions
• Gradual exposure to working environments
These are offered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.
✔ The HerLink Trade Readiness Workbook
All participants complete the GetaTrade HerLink Trade Readiness Workbook, which forms the core of the pathway.
The workbook supports:
• Consistent preparation
• Honest self-reflection
• Understanding expectations
• Confidence building
• Clear progression discussions
✔Working With Partners
HerLink works alongside:
• Charities
• Support organisations
• Referral services
• Community programmes
We are not a rehabilitation service and do not replace existing support structures. We work in partnership, not in isolation.