What if the little things you do today are what create your biggest opportunities tomorrow?

In this episode of Building Confidence, I'm joined by Hannah, founder of HER Engineering, Machining and Maintenance, to talk about her incredible journey from apprentice fitter and machinist to multi-skilled tradeswoman, business owner and specialist working on some seriously massive mining equipment.

Hannah's journey hasn't been without challenges. After struggling to secure an apprenticeship, she eventually became the first woman to qualify as a tradesperson at King's Engineering in 93 years. During her apprenticeship, she also experienced a life-changing motorbike accident that left her having to relearn everyday skills, including walking and speaking.

But with determination, encouragement and the support of people who believed in her, Hannah continued building her career.

We talk about her love of learning, gaining additional qualifications, discovering her passion for hydraulics and heavy mining equipment, and eventually taking the leap into running her own business.

Throughout the conversation, one message keeps coming up: the little things matter.

Whether it's asking another question, taking pride in sweeping the workshop floor, building relationships with experienced tradespeople or simply checking in on someone who's having a tough day, those little actions can have a huge impact.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Hannah's journey into fitting and machining and becoming the first qualified tradeswoman at her workplace in 93 years

• Recovering from a life-changing motorbike accident during her apprenticeship

• The impact of mentors, family and coworkers who believe in you

• Why you should never stop learning after completing your apprenticeship

• Building additional skills in hydraulics, plant mechanics and auto electrical work

• Learning to ask for help instead of trying to do everything yourself

• Taking the leap from employee to business owner

• Building a professional reputation through consistency, initiative and quality work

• Why the little jobs, including sweeping floors, can demonstrate your work ethic

• Asking why instead of simply doing what you're told

• Building relationships with tradespeople who might initially seem difficult to approach

• Why small gestures of kindness can make a massive difference to someone's life

Whether you're just starting your apprenticeship, looking to grow your skills or dreaming of starting your own business, Hannah's story is a reminder that you don't have to have everything figured out from the beginning.

Keep learning, ask questions, take opportunities and don't underestimate the little things. They might just be what gets you where you want to go.

Want to follow along Hannah's journey? Here is her website - https://herengineering.com.au/

What if the people in your new workplace aren't rejecting you—they're just figuring out how to work with you?

In this episode of Building Confidence, we're talking about something that doesn't get discussed very often: teaching men how to work with women.

When you enter a male-dominated workplace as a tradeswoman, there's a lot of newness for you. New people, new systems, new expectations and a new workplace culture. But sometimes there's also newness on the other side—because you may genuinely be the first woman some of your coworkers have ever worked alongside.

That uncertainty can sometimes look like people being distant, awkward or standoffish. And while sexism and unconscious bias absolutely exist, sometimes there may be something else happening too.

Drawing on my own experience entering a workshop where the team had previously had a difficult experience with another woman, I talk about why I often give a new workplace a little time before deciding exactly what's happening.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why joining a new workplace can feel uncomfortable for everyone involved

• What can happen when your coworkers have never worked with a woman before

• Why being standoffish doesn't automatically mean someone doesn't want you there

• How previous workplace experiences can influence the way people respond to you

• Giving relationships time to develop before putting a label on what's happening

• Making the first move when coworkers are nervous about approaching you

• Staying true to your values and maintaining your boundaries

• Keeping sight of why you're there in the first place

• Recognising when the adjustment period has gone on long enough

• Why one woman's behaviour should never be used to represent all women

This isn't about accepting poor behaviour, changing who you are, or taking responsibility for fixing workplace culture.

It's about recognising what you can control: how you show up, how you communicate, the boundaries you set and the relationships you choose to build.

Sometimes people need a little time to get used to each other. And some of the people who initially have their walls up may eventually become the people you learn the most from.

If you would like help and support to implement this process you can book a coaching consultation here

If you are business wanting to give your employees more tools to succeed you can book a business chat here

Zadie proudly sponsors this episode.

Zadie is a workwear brand made by tradeswomen for tradeswomen and is made to fit your hips, thighs and butt; check them out at https://www.zadieworkwear.com.au/

What if choosing a trade could open more doors than you ever realised?

In this episode of Building Confidence, I sit down with fitter by trade and Women in Trades Project Officer Abbie to talk about the incredible variety a trade career can offer—and the lessons she's learned along the way.

Abbie takes us from discovering automotive at school and applying for almost every apprenticeship she could find, through her fitting and turning apprenticeship at BlueScope Steel, working in manufacturing and underground mining, and eventually stepping into a role where she now helps other women find their own pathway into the trades.

We also have an honest conversation about what happens after you finish your apprenticeship. Abbie shares the unexpected challenge of finding work as a newly qualified tradeswoman, why employers need to rethink their expectations around experience, and why sometimes a rejection from the wrong workplace can be a blessing in disguise.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Discovering the trades while still at school

• Applying for apprenticeships when you're not completely sure which trade you want

• What it's really like completing an apprenticeship with a large employer

• Learning to think for yourself when support isn't always available

• The huge variety of work available as a fitter

• Working in manufacturing and underground mining

• The challenge of finding work as a newly qualified tradesperson

• Why employers need to give inexperienced workers an opportunity

• Moving from working on the tools to supporting other women entering trades

• Taking advantage of training, licences and every opportunity offered during your apprenticeship

Whether you're considering a trade, currently completing an apprenticeship, or wondering where your qualification could take you next, Abbie's story is a reminder that your trade doesn't lock you into one pathway. Stay curious, take the opportunities in front of you, and build as many skills as you can along the way.