In Germany, women remain a rarity in construction jobs, with less than two percent working as roofers, but Cheryl Silverman defies the trend. She left teaching behind to pursue her passion for roofing, enjoying the freedom, teamwork, and fresh air that come with the job. Though laws banning women in construction were overturned in 1994, societal perceptions and workplace culture still discourage female apprentices. Young women like Svenja Börschel are beginning to challenge these norms, training as plumbers despite initial skepticism from customers and family. Cheryl and Svenja hope their example will inspire more women to enter the trades, helping to shift attitudes and improve team dynamics on construction sites.
This video summary was created by AI from the original DW script. It was edited by a journalist before publication.