Stepping 'into the man's world' no trouble for Royal Agriculture Society young achiever finalist
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The sparks are flying as Emma Godsell works to fix a stock crate. It's a job that combines her two trades — metal fabrication and driving a truck for the family business.
With pink work boots and matching welding helmet, the 24-year-old from Young in southern New South Wales can hold her own in the traditionally male-dominated industries.
"I left school straight into the man's world, so to speak, and I haven't really known any different," Ms Godsell said.
"I don't think about it much. I just go to work. I do my job and I go home."
Ms Godsell has been named as a finalist in the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) of NSW Rural Achiever Program, recognising her work to promote agriculture.
Drawn to welding
Ms Godsell was drawn to metalwork after watching her father weld.
"The sparks, the heat and the light, I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world," she said.
She was the only girl in her high school metalwork class but that didn't stop her.
"Mum said, 'If you want to leave school, a full-time job and an apprenticeship is the only way'," Ms Godsell said.
"Challenge accepted. I left school in Year 11 and haven't looked back."
Ms Godsell gained qualifications through TAFE in engineering trade – metal fabrication, while working on the construction of large grain handling facilities as part of an apprenticeship.
"The fact that I can take a flat sheet of metal and turn it into something, I think, it's pretty cool," Ms Godsell said.
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