Green Point mother of three Sarah Zemek is one of several recent graduates from The Skill Engineer’s Girls of Steel program with a Certificate II in Engineering.
The initiative allows participants to craft bespoke metal items and combines engineering principles, welding, and theoretical skills into a dynamic program.
Driven by her passion for welding Zemek enrolled in the course with the encouragement of her children.
“My kids recognise my love for creating, and after dedicating 17 years to raising them and supporting the school community, they encouraged me to invest in myself and apply,” she said.
“At first, I felt overwhelmed.
“It had been years since I’d had any formal training, and walking into the workshop, I realised I needed to familiarise myself with a range of tools and dive into theoretical studies.
“Turning to Pinterest for inspiration, I began with a basic metal desk organiser to get comfortable with the tools.
“Before long, I was crafting everything from furniture pieces to table tops and even a holder for my dad’s tools and artefacts.”
Girls of Steel is a 40-week program run at Kariong, tailored for women aged 17-plus who aspire to enter non-traditional trades like fitting and turning, sheet metal fabrication, welding, diesel, mechanical, or electrical fitting.
Its primary objective is to tackle the skills shortage and under-representation of women in STEM fields, with a particular emphasis on creating apprenticeship opportunities.
At present women comprise less than 15 per cent of qualified individuals in Australia in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), with ongoing gender pay gaps compared to their male counterparts.
“There is stubbornly low representation of women in apprenticeships in the STEM sector,” The Skill Engineer CEO Maggie MacFie said.
“Women’s unique perspectives and creative approaches in engineering can drive innovation in STEM.
“Boosting female representation in the field taps into a broader talent pool, fostering inclusivity and equity in the workforce, and improving the expertise of engineering enterprises.”
Supported by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women, the program has achieved huge success, with more than 40 women graduates entering apprenticeships, full-time and part-time employment, and alternate training positions.
External educators such as Gimbal Training provide theoretical instruction, complemented by mentorship from an apprentice master and industry experts.
The program also offers additional tickets including ForkLift and White Card.
Metals and engineering employers further support participants, providing potential employment pathways during and after the program.
The program also offers comprehensive pastoral care, including wellbeing support and mentoring.
MacFie said participants might have family commitments and children, with some facing challenges such as unstable housing, low literacy, limited job opportunities, disabilities, and experiences with substance abuse and domestic violence.
“Mentorship and support networks play a crucial role in empowering women in male-dominated industries,” she said.
“We provide mentors who offer guidance, share experiences, and assist in navigating the challenges of the industry.
“Additionally, we offer support networks that provide a safe space for sharing insights, resources and opportunities.
“These connections offer encouragement, build confidence and enhance resilience among female participants.”
The Girls of Steel program is set to resume in April, welcoming new applicants for a Certificate II in Engineering.
For further details, or to contact The Skill Engineer, visit www.theskillengineer.com.au
Congratulations Sarah, and all the graduates of The Skill Engineer Ltd.’s Girls of Steel program. What a fantastic initiative, tackling the under-representation of women in engineering and STEM fields, and enhancing employment and training opportunities for Central Coast women.