Women Who Weld program leads to a new career in heavy automotive manufacturing

Patience Terry and QMI's Erin Johnston 

As students look to leave school and enter the workforce, it’s becoming more important than ever to highlight the incredible opportunities available to women in traditionally male-dominated industries. Programs like QMI’s Women Who Weld aim to break down barriers and encourage young women to pursue careers in the manufacturing sector.

Patience Terry, a former Gateway School student at Glenala State High School, is now a first year apprentice at Cummins, thanks to her involvement in the Women Who Weld program. She is studying her Cert 3 in Heavy Commercial Automotives and is aiming to become a large engine specialist.

Patience attended three Women Who Weld workshops in years 10, 11 and 12 and it was here that she first thought about a career in the manufacturing industry. "I've grown up with my dad who is a mechanic and my brothers who all do welding on boats ...but I didn’t realise that was something I could actually do too. I grew up very much thinking like, oh yeah, that’s their job. It was really awesome to see that this is something that people will actually support me to do! It's not just being offered to men, it’s being offered to everybody, which I think is really important for girls to see" said Patience.

Working at Cummins, who are long-time supporters of QMI's Women Who Weld program, is very rewarding for Patience. She enjoys the variety of work, the extensive training but most of all the people who have been so supportive. "When I think back to going into it, I was really worried about how I would be treated as a woman in the industry. It’s honestly been really great! Everyone's really supportive. I’ve made heaps of new friends, there’s lots of people who have a lot of knowledge and experience to offer, which is really cool. The work is pretty fun as well. It’s different to what I expected, but I think now that I’m into it, I just find it really exciting. I love being there!"

QMI's Women Who Weld programs are industry-endorsed and are designed to increase the gender diversity in manufacturing. They provide the opportunity for female high school students in years 10, 11 and 12 to gain insight into trade skills and career pathways, including local employment opportunities.

"I think the Women Who Weld programs are so important" said Patience. "I realised there was actually a lot more to the workforce than I thought and there are a lot of job opportunities. The Women Who Weld program was probably the first kind of taste of a trade that I got to do, and I really appreciated the fact that it was there for me. Otherwise, I’m not sure I would be in my career now.

For more information on how your organisation can support QMI's Women Who Weld program please contact QMI here.