Welding, a challenging trade for women
It’s dirty, physically demanding and most of her co-workers are men. But, for Julia Stadelman, being a welder is fun, exciting and challenging.
“I love it,” she said. “I wouldn’t change what I do for anything. It’s a great job.”
Stadelman, who moved to Red Deer from Medicine Hat about a year and a half ago is a journeyman welder employed by Victory Rig Equipment Corporation, a rig manufacturing company located in Blindman Industrial Park. She has had her journeyman’s ticket for two and a half years.
The 27-year-old started her career working alongside her cousin, Todd Jesse, who ran a portable rig and needed a helper. At first she found being a welder’s helper confusing and difficult.
“I didn’t know what the heck was going on. It was very different from anything I had done before. But I liked it. I thought it was really neat. Fascinating.”
Getting dirty, doing a physically demanding job, and working primarily with men is no big deal for Stadelman. In fact she enjoys it.
“Everybody works together and helps each other out. Working in a man’s world, you need to have a good sense of humor and learn how to stand up for yourself. “Actually, I find guys a lot better to work with. I couldn’t even imagine working with 150 women.”
As for the practical aspects of the job, Stadelman said hand eye co-ordination is important as is being physically strong. “Some people say female welders are actually better than men because they pay more attention to detail.”
Stadelman has her sites on being a welding inspector in the future.
“I don’t want to be a 55-year-old woman still down on my knees welding,” she said.
Candice Chernenkoff is a second year welder also employed at Victory Rig Equipment Corporation. She moved to Red Deer from Nelson, B.C.
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As well as working at Victory Rig, the 20-year-old is working towards her journeymen’s ticket by attending welding school at Selkirk College in Nelson, B.C. She said she moved to Alberta because there is more work for welders here than in British Columbia. She, too, enjoys her job.
“I’m still just learning everything. There is no such thing as knowing it all. You can do it one way and then somebody else shows you something different.
Chernenkoff plans to get her journeymen’s ticket and then move on to be a welding inspector. She said she can see where the physical aspects of the job would be harder on a person as they age.
But, for now, she is happy with her career choice and is focused on learning to be the best she can be in her chosen field.
“I like it and I’m good at it.”
Women working in the trades is becoming more common, but is still not considered the norm, said Janice MacKenzie, student recruitment advisor from Women Building Futures, a charitable not-for-profit organization that helps attract women into the trades through training and mentorship. MacKenzie spoke at a special connections event held in Red Deer Sept. 19.
“Women in the trades are still pioneers, but we are noticing them more,” she said.
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