Forging a new path in the male-dominated welding world

Bonnie Steer isn’t intimidated by the fact that welding is still a male-dominated industry. She says growing up with 3 brothers has prepared her well.

‘I like being able to prove that even though I’m a woman I can still do what they call a “man’s job”. I’m breaking that stereotype,’ she said.

‘You don’t have to be big or really strong to do these things. There’s so much equipment that can help you now. It’s not all manual handling and lifting things that are half your bodyweight.’

Bonnie does have to be tough, though. As an apprentice at Stawell Gold Mines, she’s working outside through cold winters and hot summers. She also wears full protective clothing to prevent her being burnt by the UV light that’s produced during welding.

‘You get used to it, after maybe one year of doing it. It’s going to be tough whether it’s hot or cold, but welders have a good tolerance, I guess,’ she said.

When Bonnie left school at the end of Year 11, she didn’t know what she wanted to do. And she would never have thought of welding! But while she was applying for jobs in Ballarat, one agency asked if she would consider being paid while she learned to weld.

She thought, ‘sure, why not?’. After the three-week welding course and getting her Certificate II in Metal Fabrication, Bonnie knew she’d found her trade.

‘I knew then that I wanted to do my apprenticeship because I really enjoyed it.’

‘I knew nothing about welding before then. When we were little, we’d watch my dad weld in the backyard, and he’d tell us not to look at the bright light.’

‘And I tried it in school, but I hated it, to be honest. I just didn’t get it.’

Learning welding at school might not have worked well for Bonnie, but all the welding training she’s done since then has made a big difference. She thinks it’s because she’s being trained by experienced people who really know their trade.

Bonnie is doing the theory component of her apprenticeship at Federation TAFE. There, she’s getting her Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade.

‘It’s going well. There’s access to good tools and equipment, so you can be proud of what you’re making. The teachers are nice and there are always options for help,’ she said.

Once a month, Bonnie travels to Ballarat for her 4 days of trade school at Federation TAFE. Her employer pays for her accommodation while she’s away studying.

For the rest of the month, she works at Stawell Gold Mines, helping to maintain the operational structures and equipment. Occasionally she also works with the fitters.

‘I'm pretty much fixing things. So, if you need holes in chutes patched up, I'll go do that. Or if you need a chute or pipes made up, I’ll do that,’ she said.

Her previous fabrication job was on a production line, using perfect metals in a controlled environment. Now she’s working outside with a stick welder, and with old metal that’s anything but perfect.

‘I enjoy it. It humbled me when I first started because I saw there’s so much more I can learn. It’s making me a better tradie.’

Bonnie’s plan is to keep doing what she’s doing. She hopes to go on to do her Certificate IV in Welding to get her pipe-welding qualification.

Her advice for any apprentice, but especially other women, is to find an experienced mentor on site to give you guidance.

‘They’re not going to make fun of you – they will try to help you,’ she said.

Bonnie would like it if more women got into engineering, because everyone has different types of strengths.

‘I feel like a lot of us have a good eye for detail. We're perfectionists.’

Find out more about training in engineering on the TAFE Victoria website.