Try picking up a new trade in your late 30s. Now try doing it in another country. Now add in four little ones … Ana’s done it all and then some in her journey from Peru to Australia to be a welder…
Ana Gamero’s journey in the trades has been far from straightforward. She originally moved to Australia in 2009 from Peru while still dipping her toes in the English language.
Settling in Melbourne, Ana started a family before things started going sideways.
“I went through some big challenges, including separation and family violence,” she said.
“That was a turning point for me. I had to stop and ask myself, ‘okay Ana, you’ve got kids — what do you do now?’.”
Putting it together
At 38, Ana decided to take her future — and that of her four children — into her own hands, literally.
After coming across the Women On Site Instagram page, she attended a women in trades night hosted by the Australian Manufacturers Workers’ Union (AMWU).
“That night sparked my interest in welding,” she said.
“They offered me an eight-week course. From the first class, something just clicked. I loved it.”
Things started melting into place for Ana, with her welding teacher pointing her to a career as a fabrication engineer.
“I didn’t even know what that was at the time — I just knew welding,”
she said.
“I thought, ‘there aren’t many women in this — so why not?’ Breaking stereotypes is in my nature.”
Every day’s a lesson
Ana is completing her apprenticeship through the Chisholm Institute and working on building municipal trucks through Bucher Municipal in Scoresby, east of Melbourne.
“I’m developing my welding skills every day,” she said.
“Chisholm has also been amazing, giving guidance and encouragement along the way. That support makes a huge difference.”
Just like everything in life, Ana has taken on the challenge of complex welding with both hands.
“I burned a lot of metal at the start and did so much grinding just to get it right,” she said.
“But now, my hand control is better, my movement is smoother, and I feel confident with the gun.
“There’s something about welding — it’s just you and the metal. You switch everything else off. Watching the metal melt and come together, knowing you created that — it’s incredibly satisfying.”
Her talents in the trades haven’t gone unnoticed either.
In late 2025, she was awarded the Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) Apprentice of the Year.
“I honestly didn’t think I’d win,” she admitted.
“I thought the award would go to someone younger. Just making the top three felt huge.
“When my name was called, I broke down.
“As an overseas woman, rebuilding your life in another country isn’t easy. You don’t have the same village you grew up with.
“Being recognised — just standing on that stage — felt like a win. It showed that single mums, women rebuilding their lives, women starting again later in life — we belong here too.”
Something Ana has never taken for granted is the support she’s received from her coworkers and the wider tradie community, particularly fellow lady tradies.
“The village that EWIT has created — inspiring women, single mums, young women, diversity everywhere. It’s powerful,” she said.
“This isn’t about being better than men. It’s about equality. Strength comes in different forms, and when we work together instead of against each other, that’s when real change happens.”
Family connection
There’s been one team that’s been her rock every step of the way, and that’s her children.
There hasn’t been a step, chapter or challenge where they haven’t been in Ana’s corner.
“They go to school to learn — I go to work to learn new skills,” she said.
“And we became a team.
“My kids are my strength. My eldest daughter is nearly 18 and wants to become a mechanical engineer — Formula One is her goal, and she’ll get there.
“I always tell my kids: it’s not about how you fall, it’s about how you get back up. You’re allowed to cry. You’re allowed to feel. But you keep moving forward.”
At the EWIT Awards Gala, the children cheer team was in full force to remind Ana they’re her No.1 fans.
“My daughter was there. My other kids were getting ready with makeup and excitement,” she said.
“They told me, ‘you’re our winner no matter what’.”
EMpowered ahead
Ana’s story is a reminder that no matter what comes your way in life, or when it comes, the right attitude and support network can make all the difference.
“Don’t give up on yourself. Do the research. Look at the opportunities,” she said.
“Trades aren’t just for men — there are respectful, supportive men out there who want women in the industry.
“You don’t have to fit a stereotype. If you’re going through hard times, that doesn’t disqualify you — it can be the very thing that drives you forward.
“Just go for it.”
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