Boilermaker apprentice Georgia transforms scrap metal into works of art

Currently completing the Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Boilermaking/Welding) (MEM31922) through an apprenticeship with TAFE Queensland, Georgia is building more than technical skills, she's building a career she genuinely loves.

After working in hospitality and as a postie, Georgia never imagined she'd find her passion in the engineering trade. It all started with a simple question to her husband, an experienced tradesman.

“One day at home, I said, ‘Hey, can you teach me how to weld?’” Georgia said.

“He’s helped me grow over the last year, develop my skills and really shown me the passion for this trade.”

Now employed by Aus Steel Industries, Georgia says she's found a supportive workplace where she has been encouraged to succeed from day one.

“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.”

Born and raised in Queensland before spending 15 years in Sydney, returning home was about more than a career change.

“I told myself, this is where I’m going to create a life,” Georgia said.

“I used to see this TAFE [the Ipswich campus] as a kid all the time thinking, ‘that’s the big school’, and to actually be able to step foot into this campus, it really brings back my childhood memories and makes me feel like I’m back at home.”

Today, Georgia attends TAFE Queensland’s Ipswich campus for block training every three to four months while completing her apprenticeship.

Since starting her training, Georgia has strengthened her welding capabilities and developed technical skills that are making a real difference both at work and at home.

“I managed to improve both my MIG and my stick welding,” Georgia said.

“I was never good at angles before and the measurements and that has really helped me both at work and at home.”

Georgia credits TAFE Queensland’s teachers for helping her grow both as a tradesperson and as an artist.

“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.

“Each single one of them has been supportive.”

Their encouragement has inspired her to continue developing her trade skills.

“I’m very encouraged to do my Certificate IV in Engineering (MEM40119) because of them and really see where it will take me,” she said.

Beyond her apprenticeship, Georgia has discovered another creative outlet through her small business, Arc Angel Artistry, where she crafts metal sculptures.

“I just saw a piece of scrap metal and I thought, ‘Hey, I can turn that into a fish,’” she said.

“Why throw it out when you can repurpose it and make it look better?”

Her passion for Australian culture inspired one of her most memorable creations. It’s a full-sized guitar sculpture dedicated to legendary Australian singer-songwriter John Williamson.

“I love Australia, I love the Southern Cross and I love John Williamson’s music because it really makes me have passion for my own country,” she said.

“It attracted the attention of John Williamson, and it’s currently sitting at his home right now on display.”

“He actually told me that I should be aiming for bigger and that guitar was only the start.”

Georgia’s latest creation is a striking Anzac soldier sculpture, standing approximately 2.5 metres tall and mounted on a base made from 46 steel poppies.

Inspired while sitting around a campfire on Australia Day, the sculpture symbolises perseverance and resilience.

“I had a dream about this soldier,” Georgia said.

“He, unfortunately, is missing his leg, but he had the will to move on. The sculpture’s based on this soldier having that will to move on and keep going for his family.”

Creating the piece required months of dedication from Georgia.

“Every single afternoon, every single weekend from Australia Day leading up to the day before Anzac Day, I was in the garage,” she said.

The sculpture was displayed at Brighton Homes Arena for the Anzac Day march before being entered into the Brisbane Sculpture Festival, Georgia’s first sculpture competition.

As a woman thriving in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Georgia hopes others will feel empowered to follow their interests and pursue a trade career.

“Don’t let anyone tell you not to do it,” she said.

“I’m 26 years old and I wish I found this passion earlier in life.”

Her message for future students is simple.

“It might be a little hard in the first year, but just keep pushing through because your goal is that fourth year and your goal becomes that tradesman.”

While Georgia's immediate focus is completing her apprenticeship, she has big dreams for the future — including creating large-scale public sculptures showcased throughout Australia.

“When I finish my qualification, I'd love to buy a house with a massive shed, hopefully an overhead crane, and make something absolutely massive,” she said.

“I'd love to be able to just do a whole Australia visit and just see all my sculptures everywhere.”

For Georgia, discovering boilermaking has been more than finding a job. It's been finding where she belongs.

“I always knew that I wanted to do something arty,” she said.

“It wasn't until my husband introduced me to this industry that I found where my place was supposed to be.”

Inspired by a campfire conversation on Australia Day, Georgia’s 2.5-metre Anzac soldier sculpture stands as a powerful symbol of perseverance and resilience, supported by a base of 46 steel poppies.