Fifteen years ago, Gaynor Marie was too unsure of herself to ask a question at a TAFE information session. Today she stands in front of hundreds of people to share her story, and she has a lot to say.

In this episode of NAWIC Couch, host Rachael Sharp sits down with Gaynor, an electrician at SA Power Networks and National Women’s Officer for the Electrical Trades Union. Gaynor opens up about leaving an abusive marriage as a mum of two young boys, finding her way into a women’s education course at TAFE SA, and the moment she saw Ohm’s Law on a whiteboard and fell in love with electricity.

She shares what it was really like starting an apprenticeship at 30 as a sole parent, from juggling 6am babysitters to the workplace that backed her when it mattered most. Gaynor went on to become the company’s first female trainer, and she now leads mentoring for Big Sister, a program built by women, for women, that pays and trains its mentors to support women into electrical apprenticeships.

Along the way, she offers practical advice for employers welcoming women onto site, what makes a great mentor (hint: get comfortable with seven seconds of silence), and why she calls herself an opportunist in the best possible way.

Now streaming on Spotify and Amazon Music (links in comments).

This episode includes discussion of domestic and family violence. If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.