Torquay apprentice Iesha Swan on working at Hanlon Industries, why more women should join the field

A young apprentice at a Corio business has shared what got her into the field, and why more women should join the ranks.

Apprentice Iesha Swan has shared why she believes more young women should join the field. Picture: Alan Barber

Eight months in to her welding and fabrication apprenticeship, Iesha Swan says it’s a field she would encourage more young women to explore.

The 17-year-old was inspired by her dad, who works as a mechanic, to try her hand at a trade.

She said she started playing around with steel one day, and never looked back.

The Torquay resident is now an apprentice at Hanlon Industries, working on projects including building the South Geelong and Marshall train station upgrades, and large signage for Avalon Airport.

“We build all kinds of stuff,” she said.

“I enjoy it very much.

Apprentices Heath Corbett, Liam McKenzie, Hungwei Chen, Austen Furze, Lars Brumley-McKinniss, Jy Bennetts, Brenden Miskell and Iesha Swan participated in Hanlon Industries’ Apprentice Welding Competition. Picture: Alan Barber

“(My favourite part) is socialising with all the guys I get to work with, they’re all really nice.”

Iesha said she would encourage other young women to get involved in the traditionally male dominated field.

She said when she finished her four year apprenticeship, she would like to teach the next generation of young women in her skills.

“It’s stepping out of your comfort zone, and learning different skills, and not being scared to do something you really like,” she said.

Iesha and the other 16 apprentices, including one other woman, participated in Hanlon Industries’ annual Apprentice Welding Competition.

The competition, started in 2022, was created to celebrate and recognise the skills of the business’ apprentices.

Hanlon Industries’ head of people and growth Dean Talbot said the idea was sparked as a way to create “a bit of fun and something different” in the workplace.

“One of the things that we are really conscious of is breaking the monotony of tasks,” Mr Talbot said.

“The guys do a variety of jobs, but I think this just adds an element of fun to what they do on a day-to-day basis.

“We (also) wanted to showcase their artistic talent and creativity.”

For the 2023 iteration of the competition, apprentices were given five hours to craft a work of art under the theme of ‘marine’.

They were limited to using discarded or leftover metal pieces available onsite at the Lara site.

Ms Swan created a whale’s tail, and received a $50 voucher prize.

She said the challenge pushed her, and allowed her to develop “a lot of different skills” on top of the ones she’s learning in her everyday apprentice work.

Mr Talbot said the projects from the apprentices were “genuinely remarkable”.

He said the event allowed Hanlon Industries to demonstrate the diversity of their talent, and to thank community organisations who supported the business to find apprentices.

For more information on apprenticeships in welding and boilermaking contact [e-mail]

Originally published as Torquay apprentice Iesha Swan on working at Hanlon Industries, why more women should join the field