A new charity recently established to woo females to the trades has named Marvelyn Rogers as it’s first scholarship recipient.

Ms Rogers, one of two females in the Automotive Technology Diploma programme, received a $3,000 scholarship from the Tradeswomen of Bermuda Association.

The award is presented to the female who is the best all-round representative enrolled in a trade programme, including grades, attendance and extracurricular activities.

While M Rogers is set to graduate next Thursday with the Class of 2016, she intends to go on to tackle the Automotive Service Excellence exams

“I’m elated to receive this,” said Ms Rogers said of the $3,000 scholarship. “I’ve struggled with the maintenance of my education. Now I can purchase the tools I need.

“I would tell anyone don’t let your gender discourage you. If you have a passion for something in the trades, jump into it.”

The Tradeswoman of Bermuda Association and Award is the creation of Brenda Carbonette, who graduated from Bermuda College in 2014 with a diploma in heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Ms Carbonette said she was inspired to create the award to help encourage women into studying applied sciences after she noticed the dearth of women in the trades in Bermuda.

“Whenever you phoned for an electrician, or plumber, it was always men that turned up,” she said.

“I wanted to start the conversation around why there are so few women working as plumbers or car mechanics, and help more of them get on the career ladder. The other thing about being established in a trade is that if necessary, you can set your own hours. There’s a degree of flexibility and choice”