Women In Trades Wednesday - Kanisha Stevenson
Kanisha is a qualified Fabrication Engineer specialising in heavy fabrication. She has been in the engineering fabrication trade for almost 5years, after becoming uninterested in working in hospitality. Kanisha wanted a more challenging career and was determined to find one she loved. She didn't even realise a trade could be an option; however, after some research, she settled on a mechanical engineering pre-trade and fell in love with the fabrication aspect.
Kanisha completed her study through Ara Institute of Canterbury, "It's extremely hands-on, and they don't go easy on anyone - amazing tutors!" While she struggled to find a full-time job straight after studying - despite being a student rep and obtaining a High Performance in Welding and Fabrication award, she kept pushing herself and was offered a casual position with Spunlite Poles. She landed her apprenticeship less than one month into employment and has quickly risen through the ranks. After becoming a team leader (while still an apprentice), it wasn't long before she was promoted to production supervisor - her current position. Kanisha was then challenged with overseeing the day-to-day operations of two separate manufacturing departments, managing 12 staff members spanning two shifts She is now in the process of moving one of those departments to a new location, where alongside her production manager, will expand production and eventually introduce an entirely new department to the business. This involves a fairly big step up in her career as she will play a big part in running the new site.
Day to day, Kanisha arrives at work earlier than everyone else to plan the team's work for the day. “Every day is somewhat different; there is always a mixture of work I have to plan for. I do a lot of running around organising and problem-solving, training, expediting and QA (quality assurance) of products. But I do get on the tools every chance I get,” Kanisha explains. She signs off everything her teams produce and ensures her departments run efficiently, with a big emphasis on health and safety. Kanisha is mindful that she works in a dangerous environment with a lot of powered tools, heavy machinery and heavy materials. "If something is to go wrong, it can go wrong in a big way". Her highest priority is to make sure everyone goes home safe. Because Kanisha works in a fairly niche market, very few people come to her with experience making poles, so a lot of in-house training is involved in her position.
Kanisha’s biggest challenge in moving into this industry has been the physical side of things, “I went from taking food orders to crawling inside of poles with a grinder and a welder; I had a few early nights in the beginning, haha!” But, she says, you get used to it, and nothing beats the feeling of seeing the things she’s created or helped make. “I can literally walk to my letterbox and see numerous things I've made with my own two hands, it's awesome!”
The first big project Kanisha was involved in was an 80m mast for Samoa, which took nine 40ft containers to ship to the islands, “There is always a sense of pride when you can say, hey, I worked on that.” After putting a lot of extra time into completing her four-year apprenticeship, she feels proud to be where she is now and is excited to explore the many avenues available to her within the industry.
Kanisha is giving back by mentoring future wāhine that have come through Spunlite Poles for work experience. She explains that the industry is still very male-dominated, and a lot of companies are quite hesitant to have females (especially young women) on the floor, so she suggests that, when looking for a job, you choose a company that lives and breathes its values and has a great culture. “I wouldn't be in my position today if I didn't have such a supportive leadership team backing me up and pushing me to be better.” So do your research. Her advice for someone looking to get into her line of work is to put yourself out there and have confidence in yourself. “Skills can be taught; it’s your attitude that will seal the deal.”
Not long ago, she was messaged by a friend that one of the weld inspectors at their workplace had said, "There's this real good chick at Spunlite." These sorts of comments boost her confidence and are fantastic to hear. “If we can keep breaking the mould for women in these non-traditional trades, we could change the futures of so many women who never thought these careers were options, as well as potentially evolve business.”
According to Kanisha, the guys in the trades will test you, but they will also be your biggest allies. You will succeed if you persevere and soak up the knowledge around you. “Be humble, and grateful for any bit of knowledge passed down to you.” Kanisha's operations manager taught her that "you are your own brand" and she quickly learned that he was right. “The great thing is that we are at a point where all eyes are on us, and if you choose to work hard and prove yourself, then you can make a great name for yourself in the industry, a name that could last a long time,” says Kanisha. Ladies, the ball is in our court - make it count, take a leap, start a trade.