Twenty-five year old female welding apprentice and student of Federal University of Technology, Akure, Zainab Giwa, talks to ABDULLATEEF FOWEWE about her motivation, career aspiration and challenges
What is your level of education?
I am Zainab Giwa. I am 25 years old and I am from Lagos State. I am currently a 500-level student of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in underwater welding.
What inspires you to pursue welding as a profession?
During my time at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, in 2017, I developed a passion for welding and fabrication while undergoing the student industrial work experience scheme. Working in the construction department of a popular company in Apapa, I was captivated by the process of welding and fabricating fairway buoys and installing them in the sea. It was during that period that I realised that welding and fabrication was the profession I wanted to pursue.
How did you acquire the skill?
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, most schools were on break. I was discussing with my elder brother one day about finding employment when he suggested that instead of searching for jobs, I should consider learning welding and fabrication at a firm close to our residence. Recognising the idea was the perfect opportunity and I saw it as a time to focus on my passion for welding and fabrication; I began working as an apprentice in 2020.
Were you discouraged by your parents or friends in any way?
I never experienced any discouragement from my parents and friends. The only challenge I faced was at the beginning of my apprenticeship, where my co-apprentices would often react negatively towards me because I was the only female. This made me doubt myself and question their behaviour. However, my brother gave me constant encouragement and support. As I continued to learn and improve, those individuals were forced to reconsider their treatment towards me and even become friendlier.
How did you comport yourself in their presence?
I constantly reminded myself of the things that motivated me to pursue this skill and the future progress I aspired to achieve. I found solace in my prayers to God and sought guidance from my brother. Despite experiencing moments of breakdown, I persevered, showing up at work every day to improve my skills. Additionally, my boss provided valuable support by teaching me welding skills and encouraging me to focus solely on my tasks without letting external factors bother me.
Moreover, the chief executive officer of the company regularly commended me for being an intelligent, dedicated and hardworking individual. This recognition always brought me joy, so whenever I felt sad or frustrated due to the actions of my colleagues, I would remember my boss’ praises and greet the day with a smile, knowing that it would uplift my spirit.
What did you consider before choosing Metallurgical and Materials Engineering as your course of study?
After completing secondary school, I initially desired to study Aeronautical Engineering. However, upon researching the school fees and considering my parents’ financial constraints, it became clear that the cost was prohibitive. Additionally, my Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores were not high enough to gain admission into the University of Benin. Despite this setback, a neighbour who attended Yabatech for the Ordinary National Diploma and Higher National Diploma suggested that I consider it as my school of choice. He reminded me that not being accepted into UNIBEN did not mean I couldn’t attend a polytechnic, and he recommended that I consider Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. Intrigued by his suggestion, I conducted further research on the course and found it appealing due to its broad nature and the opportunities it presented. This led me to develop a strong interest in the field and ultimately choose to pursue it at a higher level.
You spoke about male colleagues at the welding company reacting negatively towards you. Would you consider that as discrimination against you based on your chosen profession?
Yes, on a few occasions, both men and women have treated me differently due to my chosen profession. When I work, I typically appear dirty, so when I am asked to run errands at work, people often look at me with disgust and avoid me when I ask them questions. However, some individuals, particularly elderly people, appreciate my efforts and pray for me, and some even give me money.
Are you still an apprentice?
Yes, I usually return to work during my school breaks because there is still a lot for me to learn. I am still learning how to build bulletproof doors. I shared a video of some but I have not finished creating them as I haven’t acquired the remaining skills, because it takes extensive training to be able to fabricate them. So, at the moment, I can only explain the procedure. Nevertheless, I can independently weld and fabricate many of our products from start to finish without any supervision.
What are the challenges associated with welding for a lady?
One of the main challenges is ensuring personal safety to avoid electric shock, burns and fume exposure. The safety standards at my workplace are not perfect. Also, I have experienced a few accidents while welding wherein a machine nearly cut off my fingers and I often experience electric shocks by live wires. Another important aspect is equipment maintenance. If we don’t handle the types of equipment (used for welding) carefully, it can have negative effects on our health and damage our skin. For example, I once used a faulty grinding machine that was rotating at full speed but I had to immediately drop it to avoid injuring myself. I have suffered from arc-eye or welder’s flash multiple times due to exposure to intense ultraviolet and visible light. This condition causes pain and itching in my eyes, leading to redness and temporary blindness for almost four hours. Consequently, I am unable to go outside in the sun as it may result in permanent blindness. However, I mitigate the symptoms by taking paracetamol and getting some rest. Lastly, the environmental factor in welding safety is extremely important and should not be overlooked. Even though working in the rain has subjected me to electric shocks, for me, working in extreme temperatures can be challenging, because the temperature level multiplies and makes me feel uncomfortable.
Based on the challenges you have highlighted, some ladies will not find welding attractive. What would you advise others considering a career in welding?
I would still recommend ladies to pursue welding and fabrication as a profession. If you have always had an interest in it and don’t know where to start, just embrace the fact that you want to do something different for yourself and go for it, regardless of the circumstances. Take the example of Aliko Dangote building the refinery, where he had to bring in welding and fabrication engineers from the Philippines and India. However, this doesn’t mean that Nigeria lacks highly skilled welding and fabrication engineers, but perhaps they were not considered skilled enough, hence the need for expatriates. However, ladies should be open-minded and willing to get their hands dirty. The sky will be their starting point and they will have endless opportunities.
What impact are you planning to make as a female welder in Nigeria?
As a female welding and fabrication technician, my goal is to empower young women by challenging stereotypes and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the field. Additionally, I will contribute to major projects in large welding and fabrication companies by offering innovative solutions and improving work processes. Furthermore, I will inspire women to consider pursuing welding and fabrication as a course of study in higher institutions and guide them on how to become highly skilled in the field.
What measures can be taken by welders to overcome the visual difficulties associated with the work?
Welding and fabrication engineers can address eye challenges by using welding shields or anti-fatigue lenses, which help reduce strain and fatigue in the eyes. To minimise direct exposure to ultraviolet rays and sparks from welding, safety glasses can be worn underneath the welding helmet. I always make sure to use my complete personal protective equipment while welding and fabricating.
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