Christie's train UK's first
female apprentice

January 2004

Rhia Lewry, from Cowplain, has become the first female security intruder alarm engineering apprentice in the south of England, after beginning employment with Christie Intruder Alarms. Rhia joined CIA direct from Portsmouth Engineering Training Association in Havant, where she obtained an NVQ 2 and electrical qualifications. She will become an alarm engineer on completing her apprenticeship.

Barrie Christie, founder and chairman of Christie Intruder Alarms, said: "The industry has been dominated by men, but it has a real need for young female engineers as many of our elderly female clients have expressed surprise and delight at being visited by a female engineer. Our commercial clients have also told us they welcome a female face as it saves companies having to provide a female escort for a male engineer when servicing equipment in female exclusive areas."

Barrie continued: "All the team wish Rhia well and hope that more young women seek a career in this industry. She is in the vanguard of what we hope will be a wave of young females joining this company and others in the industry."