‘My only regret is that I didn’t pursue it earlier’ – Welder Laura Mulkeen reveals how she found her dream craft career in Donegal.
Donegal ETB is one of the leading providers of welding and engineering training within the Irish Further Education and Training (FET) sector, providing a wide range of courses in this field that allow learners to progress from basic to intermediate to a career traineeship.
However, while welding has a reputation as a male dominated trade, Donegal ETB provides a supportive environment for female learners to undertake this training.
We recently spoke to one of their female welding learners, Laura Mulkeen, who discovered her true calling at the age of 33.
Laura spent more than ten years working in Event Management in Dublin and Belfast but when she had to relocate to Donegal for family reasons, she found herself unemployed and needing to work out her career direction.
She never felt fulfilled with Event Management but knew she liked being creative and was attracted to the craft industry.
Laura started doing some blacksmith work in West Donegal and signed up to a Basic Welding Course with Donegal ETB in 2016 which really confirmed her career path for her. She has now also completed Intermediate Welding and plans to also complete Coded Pipe Welding.
Laura told us, “When I look at my finished work, I get a great sense of accomplishment. My only regret is that I didn’t pursue it earlier. I knew at school that I wanted a craft career but it was considered a career for males. So I chose a female career that really didn’t fit with my introverted nature. Now I feel like I’ve arrived.”
Laura recommends women who choose crafts or trades to link in with Women in Trades Network, Ireland. She recognises the fear women face entering into a male dominated work area and she applauds the support of the Network.
When speaking about Donegal ETB’s courses, Laura said, “The teaching is genuinely great. The atmosphere is very supportive of women in trades. My tutors Cathal, Paul and Lewis never doubted me and the facilities are amazing. I now feel more at home with myself and I’m looking forward to progressing in the field of welding.”
If this is an area that interests you, check out the range of courses starting in January and February 2019 on www.fetchcourses.ie using the keyword ‘welding’ and apply online today.
Specific Skills Training is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020.