NUR Izzati Athirah Mohammad Yusoff,
Assistant Instructor,
Weldzone Training Centre Sdn Bhd
Could you brief us on your education background?
I am currently 21 years old, born in Selama, Perak. I am graduated from Kolej Vokasional Taiping with Diploma of Welding and Fabrication and continued with my passion in Welding Industry when Weldzone Training Centre Sdn Bhd sponsored me a scholarship in Commercial Diving & Underwater Welding Course and upgraded my certifications to Instructor level with International Technical Diving Agencies (ITDA/UK/Europe) certifications in 2017.
What made you choose welding as a career, which is a highly male dominated segment?
I never had a dream to make a career in underwater welding, but it started when I was a student at Kolej Vokasional Taiping in Kamunting, Perak. I was the only female student who studied welding there in 2013. I actually had no idea about welding when I started the course, but I just wanted to try something new and challenging. Infact, even during my final year, I still was not sure what I want to do after college. But all such mixed thought just changed my mind after we had a field visit to Weldzone Training Centre. Located in Seri Manjung, Perak, Weldzone Training Centre offers courses in commercial diving as well as underwater welding and underwater cutting. I was highly impressed with a demonstration on underwater welding, and its concept of welding under the sea. Thus, I planned to opt for a career in underwater welding. Today, apart from being an underwater welder, I am also an assistant instructor at Weldzone Training Centre, where all my students are male. I like taking up challenging task and aim to upgrade myself.
What is you say on safety in Welding?
Safety is one of the key factors when welding is concern. When we put the health and safety as a priority in every work not only for welding, the project can be handled in a proper ways. Being very specific towards underwater welding, one has to be mentally and physically strong because the job is very tough and risky. While getting the job done, you have to be alert to your surroundings and for safety. There are times when we face insufficient oxygen in water, or a sudden loss with my buddy during diving. Thus, alertness is a must.
Have you anytime faced gender discrimination on site, as the stream is male dominated?
Although the industry being a highly male dominated segment, I have never experienced any such incidents. Infact the team highly respect me and my work. Many a times, they also help me during any heavy tasks.
What are your future plans?
Izzati want to upgrade my skills in underwater welding.
Closing message, especially to the female.
I hope that every female open up their mind to choose their ambitions nicely. Once when you choose the right career, your hard work will surely make a good way and a good job.
