Back Story: Chloe Sales, “The more experience I gain, the more empowered I am becoming”

Shini Somara: Why did you do an Engineering Apprenticeship?

Chloe Sales: At the age of 22 years old, I found myself in difficult family circumstances. I was a qualified hairdresser at 17 but did not like that industry at all. I applied for many different jobs, including the role of warehouse operative. I got a job at TP Cats, but was only hired temporarily, to cover someone who was on holiday.

They were short of welders, so I tried my hand at it. I have always been a much more practical person, rather than a good student, so I was pretty good at it. It also really interested me because I enjoyed the idea that two bits of metal could be joined together with electronics to make a whole new and functional product. So, I decided to put myself on an evening course to learn more. However, my bosses offered to put me on a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship course instead. As a result, I became the first female of their company to go to college and train as an apprentice and the first female in my college to train as a welding apprentice.

Three years later, I completed my apprenticeship and won the STEM Apprentice of the Year Award in 2019, which completely shocked me! I had finally found my stride.

SS: What obstacles have you faced and how have you overcome them?

CS: I didn't enjoy learning at school and therefore struggled. Being the only female on my apprenticeship course was quite challenging too. Those two things combined, meant that I had to do a lot of catching up on the technical aspects of my apprenticeship.

Despite all the odds, what kept me going was a major drive and determination to show that I could do this, even when many people thought I couldn't. Now, I call myself an engineer and am really happy with the unplanned direction my career has taken.

Today, I am in full support of apprenticeships. It's given me an opportunity to earn while I learn and have a foot in industry, despite being a student. I have clocked up four years of great work experience, while becoming a bespoke employee for my current company who have always been so supportive since I first started there in August 2019.

SS: What are your favourite skills acquired on the apprenticeship?

CS: Part of my apprenticeship involved learning how to use computer-aided design. From knowing nothing about this tool, I am now capable and confident in creating a drawing and then making the object itself. I am currently a basic welder but would like to develop my TIG (tungsten inert gas) welds because the finishes are much more beautiful and everything is made to a higher specification. I am a few years off perfecting this skill in both stainless and aluminium, but this is my goal.

SS: Have you had to fight against the stereotypes?

CS: Engineering has a reputation of being a dirty industry, with construction work and big machines. It is generally seen as a man's world.

However, at my company, I am not treated differently to any of my peers even though – once again – I am the only female in the welding area. I would like to stamp out old stereotypes of engineering and see more women join this brilliant industry – there is definitely room for us here.

I've certainly faced negativity for choosing to be part of a male-dominated industry, but I have learned to use this negativity to stand taller. The more experience I gain, the more empowered I am becoming. I now know that people who are unsupportive are generally insecure themselves. I enjoy the challenge of proving naysayers wrong.

SS: What advice do you give girls who may be struggling in such a male-dominated industry?

CS: No one succeeds immediately, but don't let a few stumbles knock your confidence. We all have obstacles and challenges, male or female, but facing them and learning from them helps us to grow.

If I can get into engineering with no background or experience, so many other girls definitely can. You just have to keep pushing for what you want and eventually you will succeed. I want you to know you are supposed to be exactly where you are, and if you fail at something? Great! Try and try again. You may have found a thousand ways that won't work – but there will be one way that will!