Masae inspiring women to weld

Just a year after graduating high school, Masae Swann is already inspiring other young women, recently returning to Mabel Park State High to speak at the inaugural Women Who Weld event.

Masae, from Slacks Creek, graduated from Year 12 at the end of last year, and didn’t hesitate to take up an apprenticeship with Munster – becoming the first female in a boiler-making apprenticeship with the company.

But the laidback and focused young woman says it’s no big deal.

‘I always liked welding and fitting, and it never really bothered me that I was the only girl in my engineering class, so being the only girl in the workshop doesn’t worry me either,’ she says.

‘We are all there to work and everyone gets along and is supportive – I don’t get treated any differently.

‘I grew up with brothers, so it has never fazed me.’

When she spoke to the students at Mabel Park, she says many girls were hesitant to consider a career in trades.

‘A lot of girls asked if I had to put up with any bullying or if I was treated differently and I just said no, everyone is great – you just have to go into it wanting to learn and everyone supports that,’ she says.

‘The company I am with – Munster – is so supportive and helps me to learn. If you want to work, there’s no difference in how you are treated.’

Masae says she enjoyed speaking to students – and sharing everything she loves about her trade.

‘ I love that it is just you and the tools – you are in your own space and really focused,’ she says.

‘It’s also something you can take anywhere. No matter where you go in the world, this is something you can do and a skill that is valued. I want to travel eventually so it is really good to know that I would be able to work anywhere.’

Stuart Ackerman, HSEQ manager with Munster, says the company is keen to get more girls and women interested in trades.

‘We are interested in getting the right people here and it would be a big mistake not to look at getting more women interested in those trade roles,’ he says.

‘It’s important for us to employ local. We employ a lot of workers who are on both the younger and the older end of the scale, with more than 20 nationalities working with us – and we would really like to see more women join the team.’

The company is undertaking a range of engagement activities to promote trades among young women – including sponsoring the Mabel Park State High School girls’ rugby team.

Masae is also one of the faces of LoganJobs.com.au.

By Sharon Worboys