A WOMAN has revealed that she banks nearly £60,000 a year for a gruelling job that some would hate – but makes her stronger.
Elizabeth is a Gen Z welder who opted for a career in trade over a corporate nine-to-five.
When Elizabeth was 18, she was introduced to a beginners course for young women getting into trade jobs and never looked back.
The nearly four-month course teaches the basics of trading, like automotive, plumbing and carpentry.
But Elizabeth was captivated by the art of welding.
Speaking to the Business Insider, she said: “There are loads of different types of welding, but at its basic level, it’s about fusing two metals together with a hot torch.
“I was drawn to that hot, tough aspect of it, of constantly having your head down in the heat.
“It’s hard work and requires you to be precise – that kind of intensity was something I was looking for in a job.”
The now 23-year-old and her partner live in a roof tent in Alberta, Canada, allowing them to fulfil what is many peoples dream of working and living outdoors.
By doing this, they get to keep what’s called a Living Out Allowance, which is a daily tax-free sum of up to £158.
For other tradey’s, this cash would be spent on accommodation – but the couple get to pocket theirs.
Not only is welding a well-paid profession and suits the outdoorsy lifestyle, Elizabeth also said it “is great on the body.”
She said: “I’m killing my body every day, but it’s worth it because welders make insane money, and I’m getting jacked doing it.
“I’m constantly moving and climbing, so my abs are getting more ripped, and my butt is getting bigger.
“I’m covered in bruises and scratches from the job – I’m definitely pretty beat up. But it makes me super strong, and getting to work outside is a real perk.”
While Elizabeth has no complaints about the gruelling 10-hour days and full working week, she explained how being a woman in the industry has been a massive issue.
She said: “I’ve had male coworkers scream at me and belittle me at work, and few procedures are in place to prevent this.
“You just need to ensure you have a good supervisor who knows you work hard and respects you.”
As of 2020, women welders only made up a shocking 3.8per cent of the industry, Gray reports.
But Elizabeth spreads the word to other women about welding on TikTok, accumulating thousands of followers and inspiring more to get into the trade.
Discussing her future in the industry, she said: “My dream would be to own a business focused on getting women into the trades.
“My experiences in the industry have shown me how necessary it is to help reshape this industry to include more women.”
