Corowa engineering apprentice Jazmine Anderson has been awarded the 2022 Sarah Lloyd Scholarship for leading the charge locally when it comes to females in non-traditional industries.
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The 19-year-old always knew she would one day work in the trade industry, and upon completion of high school, she commenced a Certificate III in Welding (Fabrication Trade) with Focus Engineering Corowa in January this year.
“My passion for metalwork started from a very young age,” Jazmine said.
“Since I was seven years old, I've had my own welder and helmet and have always loved tinkering around in the shed making things.
“Although my father had limited knowledge of welding as he was self-taught, he still attempted to make things with steel.
“I have always been a manual, hands-on type of person and I love a challenge. I have only been doing my apprenticeship for six months and I am already so glad I chose this as my career.”
The Sarah Lloyd Scholarship Fund awards a scholarship of $2000 to a successful female candidate every year.
Sarah Lloyd was the daughter of Tracey and Daniel Lloyd of Mangoplah. She was described as having an infectious giggle, a beautiful smile and an extremely positive outlook on life.
Her love of all things automotive came from her father, a qualified mechanic. She spent many hours learning about automotive mechanics under his wing and was determined to make it her career path.
She would challenge herself to be better than her work peers, have a deeper knowledge and understanding of just not ‘what she was doing’ but ‘why she was doing it’.
On August 12, 2017, Sarah was a passenger in a vehicle involved in an accident that tragically ended her life at the age of 19.
The Sarah Lloyd Scholarship Fund, named in her honour, was created soon after aimed at supporting other young women who want to work in non-traditional trades.
Jazmine said it was an honour to be named one of the three recipients of the scholarship this year.
“I was pretty stoked when I found out I had received it. I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
“I’m very grateful to have been picked. Going to TAFE, I have met a network of lovely girls who have the same career interests as me. We all feel very passionate about our trade and hope we will be advocates to other young girls wanting to do a non-traditional trade in the future. That’s why Sarah’s legacy is so inspiring.”
Jazmine said her family were very supportive of her career path.
“They say it suits me down to a tee,” she said.
“My dad has always been my biggest supporter and has always encouraged me to get in and give everything a go.”
Jazmine’s workplace, Focus Engineering on Cemetery Road Corowa, has also been hugely supportive of her.
“The team is great. It’s a really enjoyable place to work and we often have a laugh,” Sarah said.
“Everyone is really encouraging. Previous workplaces, the guys wouldn’t even shake my hand so it’s very different here. Robbie and Sam have both taken me under their wing and they are always really patient with me. They are always encouraging me to try new things.
“I’ve been able to work on many exciting projects, including our big one at the moment which is the viewing decks for the Twelve Apostles on Great Ocean Road. It’s been so amazing to be part of it.
“I had no idea there was so many facets to the technique of welding, so I have a lot to learn.”
Focus Engineering Managing Director James Webb said it was a pleasure to have Sarah on board.
“Jazmine, like Sarah Lloyd, is our own little pocket rocket. She has come on board wanting to prove herself as an equal with her male peers in the workshop and she has done this with flying colours. She is an absolute pleasure to have around being like a breath of fresh air.
“She is a hardworking, determined young lady, who is truly an asset to our company.”