Elyse Stindl has always loved the tradie life, and now she’s following the family and taking up the trades.
Elyse comes from a long line of fitters and turners. Her Opa migrated from Austria and started his own machining business.
Together with his three sons, including Elyse’s father, they ran a successful family business.
“When I young I used to go to the factory floor and sweep floors and watch what they did and learned stuff,” Elyse said.
When she finished high school, Elyse wanted to join her father and uncles as a fitter.
However, her father convinced her to accept an offer to study nursing at university.
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Change of careers
During Covid, however, certain events led Elyse back to the trades.
Her father passed away; having lost her aunty six weeks prior, the family business had to shut down.
Elyse saw this as a chance to come back to something she had always cherished, and envisioned for her future.
“It felt like fate – it felt like it was time to pick that back up and learn about everything and keep the family trade alive,”
“It was definitely the right path … I started my Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Fitting/Machining) which is effectively fitting and machining.”
When Elyse’s father and aunty passed away, the business was left untouched for months.
Taking up the tools herself; Elyse blew the dust off the workshop.
“When I went back for the first time months later, there was even a garbage bag at the front door with the overalls ready to be washed,” she said.
“I went through and kept everything of importance, including everything that would come in handy in the future like dial indicators, vernier calipers, micrometres.
“Even down to a simple set of pliers that were his, I use them every day.
“I even have a pair of verniers that were my Opa’s which are 40 years old.”
Her family is never far from her heart, and in this case, her toolbelt.
The path ahead
Elyse has been completing her apprenticeship through another family business, AGM Engineering in Emu Heights, north of Sydney.
With boss Anthony and TAFE NSW Mt Druitt helping her along the way, Elyse is realising her talents as a fitter and turner.
The 36-year-old mightn’t be your typical trade apprentice, but that’s something she hopes to see change.
Elyse was one of 15 female students Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Fitting/Machining) at TAFE NSW.
“It would be great to be a part of that process to and bring female trades into the spotlight,” she added.
“When I started 18 years ago, I don’t think the world was ready for females in the trade back then, it was a very different time.”
Her career as a fitter/turner might just be getting started, but Elyse might have a future lined up already on-campus.
“Because I’m older and a mum, I do tend to help the other students,”
“Eventually, when I retire, I want to teach the trade.
“Hopefully I can pass it down and there’s more women coming through.”
