TWENTY-SIX-year-old boilermaker apprentice Georgia Singh’s request to learn how to weld has transformed into a new career and a growing artistic pursuit.
Combining her training at TAFE Queensland’s Ipswich campus with hands-on experience at Austeel Industries, Ms Singh is turning discarded metal into striking sculptures through her small business, Arc Angel Artistry.
After previously working in hospitality and as a postie, she said a career in boilermaking was never something she had imagined.
“One day at home, I said, ‘Hey, can you teach me how to weld?’ ” she said.
“My husband has helped me grow over the last year, develop my skills and has really shown me the passion for this trade.”
She is now completing a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) through her apprenticeship with Austeel Industries and attends TAFE Queensland’s Ipswich campus for block training every three to four months.
She said Austeel Industries had backed her from the beginning, including her decision to enter a traditionally male-dominated trade.
“As soon as I asked them if they were willing to hire a female, they jumped onto it straight away,” she said.
“They wanted me to get straight into my apprenticeship, and they’re already talking about my future plans after I finish my qualification.”
Ms Singh’s developing trade skills have also provided an outlet for another passion – creating art from recycled metal.
She established Arc Angel Artistry after encouragement from her TAFE teachers, with one of her first projects helping convince her that welding could be more than simply a job.
“As soon as my first day here at TAFE, when I made the guitar sculpture, I just got so much support from the teachers,” she said.
“Every single one of them has been supportive.”
That creativity has since produced some impressive results, including a full-sized guitar sculpture dedicated to Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson – it subsequently caught the attention of Williamson himself and is now displayed at his home.
More recently, Ms Singh created a 2.5-metre Anzac soldier sculpture mounted on a base featuring 46 steel poppies, with the work being displayed at Brighton Homes Arena during Anzac Day commemorations before being entered into the Brisbane Sculpture Festival in August.
TAFE Queensland Director Business Development (South West Region) Fabio Batista said apprenticeships remained an important pathway into industries facing growing demand for skilled workers.
“Apprenticeships provide students with the opportunity to earn while they learn, gain practical workplace experience and build skills that employers are looking for,” Mr Batista said. “By working alongside industry, TAFE Queensland can ensure training remains practical, relevant and responsive to workforce needs, giving apprentices the best possible foundation for their careers while helping businesses access skilled, job-ready workers.
TAFE Queensland supports more than 20,000 apprentices and trainees each year across a range of industries.
