How serious injury put driven tradeswoman on chosen path
One heartbreaking decision after a serious injury forced this 18-year-old to change the course of her life. But what she didn’t know was that it would lead her to her dream career.
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When Georgia Kellam, 18, first enrolled at the Australian Industry Trade College (AITC), she had dreams of becoming a diesel mechanic.
But after she sustained a serious hand injury and underwent two surgeries, the driven apprentice had to make a heartbreaking decision.
No longer able to use both hands in the trade she had always intended to pursue, Ms Kellam was forced to consider other pathways.
But the crossroads she found herself at, ended up being one of her best decisions, as she combined her two greatest passions – sewing and cars, and turned them into a successful career.
“My grandmother was a seamstress, so I grew up sewing with her and the injury made me look back on my grassroots and where I came from,” she said.
“Dad is a mechanical engineer, so he would always be fixing things in the shed and I remember helping out as a kid.
“I tried out motor trimming and just fell in love with it really, so now I do the interiors.”
One of the AITC’s first students to graduate with their high school certificate in Toowoomba, Ms Kellam is now employed full-time at Evan’s Trim Shop.
And the hardworking automotive trimmer is loving every minute of it.
“Because I grew up sewing, I have the basics and a lot of knowledge, but there’s still a lot for me to learn, so I like that it’s a challenge too,” she said.
“I never thought I’d be able to do my hobby as a trade and it was hard hurting my hand but I definitely think it all worked out in the end.”
When she completes her third year apprenticeship, Ms Kellam hopes to help the current owner to run his shop.
And while traditionally, the industry has been male-dominated, she said her experiences have been nothing but positive.
“It’s been amazing – the boys here have been more than supportive and I’ve been really lucky, because they took a chance on me with my injury,” Ms Kellam said.
“Gender shouldn’t be a restriction at all and I’d definitely encourage other girls to get in and give it a go.”
AITC executive principal Mark Hands said he was very proud of the 42 young people that had graduated from the Toowoomba campus this year.
“It’s been overwhelming positive – we have had teary parents thanking us and employers punching the air,” Mr Hands said.
“Toowoomba has such a strong, vibrant community and if you want something done, Toowoomba people get it done.”
Of all the AITC campuses, Mr Hand said Toowoomba had the highest percentage of female students in trades.
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