Melanie revealed to Steph that she even changed the name on her applications to sound more male and faced a daily barrage of deeply offensive and sexist remarks as she strived to thrive in her chosen career.
Sexism and Bullying in the Welding Industry
And although her worst experiences were back in the ‘90s, there is still room for improvement.
“I was being told on a daily basis to get back in the 'Fxxx-ing kitchen' and bullied on a daily basis,” she said.
In the pod, she tells Steph: “It’s been a rough road, I had some very dark thoughts due to constant bullying, I thought what has this life got to offer me?”
Melanie Stewart’s Experience in a Male-Dominated Industry
She even once had a firm job offer withdrawn when the interviewer discovered her gender because ‘we don’t have facilities for women here.’
“An agency guy rang me and asked to speak to Mel, I said ‘speaking,’ and he said, ‘Can I speak to your husband?’
“He said his hands were tied; he couldn’t give a woman a job here because there were no facilities like toilets.
“I told him I would pee in a bucket if I had to!” said Mel.
Success Beyond Sexism: Melanie Stewart’s Career Journey
Mel, who escaped the UK, and her career and qualifications flourished in Australia, and Central and South America, is now back working in the UK.
“We’ve come a long way since the ‘90s, but we still have a little way to go. We still need to make those changes,” said Mel.
Women in Welding: Rewards and Challenges
During the discussion, Mel reflects on the potential rewards that await women following in her footsteps.
“There have been points in my career when I’ve earned more money than a doctor. There’s good money to be earned.”
Welding Careers in High Demand
Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, the charity that is tackling the skills gap head-on, told Steph that new infrastructure projects like Hinkley Point C, big wind farm sites, defence sector initiatives, and carbon capture projects mean welders are in huge demand.
“It’s definitely changed, partly because of trailblazers like Melanie Stewart, women that have experienced really tough times and not given up.
“There’s a desperate need for welders, and they can earn big money.”
Melanie Stewart’s Role in Shaping Skills for the Future
The podcast, recorded at Teesside University, was the very first in a series designed to tackle the big issues holding back skills provision in the UK.
Steph, an engineer in her own right and former Black & Decker apprentice, is passionate about skills, working hard to inspire, validate, and educate young people to pursue vocational pathways to work.
