Women in Trades Wednesday - Meet Kat Billing
This Women in Trades Wednesday we talk to Kat Billing, a full-time welder MIg/arc in structural steel for D&H Steel Construction based in West Auckland.
Not only is New Zealand in need of skilled welders, but there are also opportunities available internationally. For those considering a career in welding, Kat encourages them by emphasizing the numerous possibilities and entry-level positions available. With various types of welding for different metals and applications, individuals can explore exciting paths such as building boats, bridges, high-rise buildings, coaches, trailers, and even working on air conditioning ducts or stainless pipe for the dairy industry.
Growing up in a family of boatbuilders, engineers, panel beaters, and mechanics, it's no surprise that Kat found her passion in the trades. With a mechanically minded father who pursued a career in engineering, she quickly discovered a shared love for anything with an engine. However, it was during her studies in mechanical engineering that she stumbled upon her true calling - the welding shop. Although she enjoyed using machinery like the press, lathe, and milling machine, it was the art of welding that truly ignited her joy. Drawing inspiration from other female welders and engineers, Kat embarked on her career path in the trades.
Kat has been welding professionally for 3 years now and got her current job through my MPTT coordinator Tu Nu'uali'itia. Kat says “I was very fortunate to receive a scholarship through the Māori and Pasifika Trades Training that helped toward my study which was the Certificate of Mechanical Engineering. Just before graduating I was fortunate to be connected (through Tu) with Cameron Rogers workshop manager of D&H Steel construction. I got a tour of the workshop and from that visit I was keen to start and willing to give anything a go.”
Although she hasn’t done an apprenticeship yet and has progressed in her career through hands-on experience. Since coming on the shop floor, she has wanted to weld and knows at any point she can approach management if she would like to embark on starting an apprentice in heavy fabrication or the boilermaker apprenticeship.
“With my mechanical engineering studies, we did welding practical and theory and though that's great to have a little experience, it'll never compare to what I have learned hands on over the last 3 years welding at D&H. I am a ticketed welder which is required at my work but there is opportunity to sit other tickets like for pipe welding and arc welding that is more so applicable for site welding work” says Kat.
Kat loves the variety of work! “You never get bored, and I am challenged most days. Every day you work on something different”. She has been fortunate enough to work on bigger projects like K frames, rafters and structural pipe columns but says it’s always a nice change when you get smaller jobs every now and then. The hours vary at work from week to week, which is great cause you get a bit of a break.
When asked about her biggest challenge Kat said “I think my biggest challenge was mainly my own self-doubt and lack of confidence in the beginning when I started welding. Also, I'll be honest that there was a bit sexism I had to face when I first started out. My colleagues suggested I get an office job and that I didn't belong there and It's a man's job. Comments as such do affect you but, if you work for a good company like the one, I work for, they'll be quick to discourage that behavior and comments like that are punishable. I am no longer subject to such remarks in the workplace”. She also wishes she wasn't so hard on herself. “It does you no good comparing yourself to others when first starting out because they're experienced, and you are learning. I wish I took my time and didn't pressure myself.”
Kat's proudest career moments up to this point have been working on the pipe columns for Taranaki Hospital and the first batch of pipes for the Auckland Airport upgrade. As a welder, she takes pride in every project she gets to work on. It's an incredible feeling to pass by completed apartments and know that she and her colleagues' hard work went into framing those buildings. Additionally, her employer, D&H, provides opportunities for site tours, allowing her to see the ongoing construction and spot the different parts she has personally worked on. This gives her a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
And her advice for anyone thinking about getting into the industry? Give it a go!
“You don't know if you're going to be good at something if you don't try it. I sat on taking up a welding job for many years due to lack of confidence in myself. Though there are many companies out there willing to take people with no experience it always shows an employer initiative if you've done some kind of certificate or study first. Like I did the Certificate Mechanical Engineering through Unitec and obviously through that experience found that I really loved welding and it re-ignited my passion for it. There's a great course through The New Zealand Welding School and I am sure a google search will present other courses and study that will get you a certificate to help get your foot through the door. I left high school early and went straight into labouring and didn't take up welding for a good while so don't let age be a barrier either. I truly believe the prerequisite for this kind of work is a good attitude toward health and safety and a good attitude in general. It's good to have willingness to learn and an understanding that the skill set comes through experience.”
Follow Kat and her welding journey on Instragm @Kadillakkat