Pauline's daughter and her friends think her job is "cool"

Not so for 28-year-old Pauline Brown, from north London.

For the mother of two, it was all the inspiration she needed to launch a career in an industry that still remains a virtually female-free zone.

"I was fascinated with what he was doing. I knew then that's what I wanted to do, it was like a calling," she said.

More women like Pauline are desperately needed in male-dominated industries such as construction and engineering, according to a new Equal Opportunities Commission report.

Major skills shortages in certain sectors could be solved by recruiting more women, it said.

Initially the children were embarrassed about their mum turning up in overalls and a hard hat Pauline Brown

Pauline has now been studying plumbing for three years.

She started by doing an NVQ level 2 through Women's Education in Building, and passed the two year course last summer.

Although that qualified her to practice, she aims to take her training to highest level, perhaps ending up in the design and planning side of the industry.

With the vast majority of plumbers being white, male and over 35, it's safe to say she is already breaking down barriers.

Pauline is being supported by her employer, Lovell, to do the next NVQ level at college one day a week, and is also taking a qualification in gas installation and repair.

"I love getting my hands dirty," says Pauline, who has two girls aged 10 and seven.

'Hard time'

Although it is clear she is more than capable of sticking up for herself, she has had to cope with doubt and negativity about her career choice from those around her.

"I believe I can do anything I want to do.

"But one problem I have come across is that, as a woman, when you are friendly towards people on the building site it can be taken the wrong way.

"I don't rant and rave about it. In a way I understand where they are coming from because these men have never worked with women before."

Pauline stars in a poster campaign to encourage women into plumbing

"After a while they just see me as a plumber."

Family can also play a major part in steering people away from jobs dominated by the opposite sex, according to the report.

"My mum didn't want me to do it, she told me to go into computing," recalled Pauline.

"I think she was concerned that I'd be given a hard time, or maybe that I wouldn't be respected because of the perception of plumbing as a 'manual' job.

"Initially the children were embarrassed about their mum turning up in overalls and a hard hat, but now my daughter says all her friends think it's really cool.

"People are generally quite shocked when I tell them what I do."

'Challenging'

When it comes to private domestic customers, Pauline has adopted some strict policies to make sure no one tries to take advantage.

"If I'm too nice people can try to take the mickey. Some will see you are a woman and try to mess you about, but I don't take it.

"I have a policy of same-day payment - if customers try to avoid paying I'll rip the work out and take my materials away."

The Equal Opportunities Commission and Jive Partners - which tackles gender bias in male-dominated industries - hope Pauline's story will inspire others to follow her example.

They have selected her as one of the faces of an advertising campaign being launched to promote non-traditional job choices and highlight pay differences.

"I love everything about the job. It's challenging - I'll still be learning more and more about plumbing in 10 years time."