This despite the fact she was the first female tradesperson hired at Fluid Engineering.

Don’t think for a second that that put her off making the jump though.

She said she had no regrets about her decision.

“I'm definitely loving the job so far,” she said. 

“Glad I left school to come work here.”

She said gender played no role in the work force for her or anyone around her.

“It doesn't matter at all that I'm the only woman on the floor,” she said.

“They treat me like they treat everybody else so it doesn't really matter.

“I just like getting into it really, building things and making things.”

She’s impressed the people around her already.

John Sillis is one of the people who brought her on board and knew she’d be good right from the start.

“She did the first year of a school based apprenticeship last year and at the end of it she decided she didn't want to go onto year 11 and 12,” he said.

“We sat down and she told me she wanted to work as an apprentice welder.

“We thought that was pretty good so we put her on.

“So far she’s does a fantastic job.”

He noted that even while she was at school she was a step ahead.

“She topped her metal work class at school as well, so she beat all the boys.”

Atalia has high hopes as well.

Mr Sillis believes she has the ability to achieve the goals she sets for herself.

“She wants to aspire to get into the design side of things as well,” he said.

“She's on a four year apprenticeship so when she finishes up I'm sure she'll be one of the most qualified tradespeople in Griffith.”

Atalia believes on-the-job experience is the best way to prepare for a job and Mr Sillis agrees.

“She sees and feels that having that on the floor and practical knowledge will help her when she goes forward into a design role,” he said.

“Drawing and designing things, getting that practical experience is probably the best way to go about things.”