Thornhill Park electrician Emily Waras hopes to inspire other woman to take up a trade.
The Kangan Institute graduate works full-time as an electrical carriage maintainer for Alstom V/Line Maintenance.
Her role involves maintaining, repairing and modifying all electrical components on V/Line’s fleet of passenger trains
The mother-of-two completed certificate III in electrotechnology electrician apprenticeship at Kangan’s Broadmeadows campus and shared her story as part of the TAFE’s International Women’s Day celebration on Tuesday, March 8, which focused on this year’s theme, #BreakTheBias.
Ms Waras’ journey to becoming an electrician was somewhat unconventional – she discovered
she was pregnant midway through apprenticeship at Kangan Institute, which meant training adjustments and navigating a return to the industry as a new mum.
“Kangan was an amazing support during my pregnancy. I was able to work with my teachers on when I could come in for exams or make arrangements that supported me,” she said.
“I took six months off as part of maternity leave and that put me six months behind everyone else at my stage. When I returned, I commenced double the studies that most normal apprentices do and I studied an extra day a week. Once I finished that, I started night school for a post-trade certificate.”
Ms Waras completed her apprenticeship in 2019 and was named Kangan Institute’s Apprentice of the Year. A year after, she was named Blackwood’s Tradie of the Year.
These days, Ms Waras is committed to inspiring other young women to #BreakTheBias and works with Tradeswomen Australia as a mentor for new apprentices.
“In March 2020 I was a spokesperson for International Women’s Day and spoke at the Apprenticeship Group Australia’s Try A Trade Day for high school aged girls. I was 39 weeks pregnant but it was important for me to show young girls that a tradeswoman can also have a family and other aspirations in life,” she said.
Reflecting on challenges of being a working mum and a tradeswoman, Ms Waras said it was time to look beyond gender.
“Every career has its challenges and working a trade is no different … While there can be obstacles entering a male dominated industry, our gender is not relevant in how well we do our job. I know I am respected and held to the same standards as any other electrician,” she said.
