Sellout Wintec Event Spotlights Wāhine Thriving In Trades And Engineering Careers

Secondary school students and guests from across the country made their way to Wintec’s Rotokauri Campus this week for the 2025 Wintec Wāhine in Trades and Engineering panel event.

Attendees filled the campus lecture theatre, eager to hear the inspiring career stories of the seven female panellists, each excelling in their respective fields.

Amy Opperman, event organiser and Wintec Team Manager for Plumbing and Industrial Measurement Controls, was delighted with the turnout at the event, which this year hit over 90 registrations.

“It’s an honour to spotlight so many inspiring wāhine and to share their journeys with others who are keenly looking to carve out their own career paths,” said Amy.

“The event continues to grow, year on year, and we’ve been blown away with another great turnout. This is thanks to the quality of our panellists, support from our amazing event sponsors, and a reflection of more wāhine considering careers in trades and engineering.”

Amy believes the event was an excellent opportunity for women to gain insight into different industries and build confidence in pursuing potential career paths.

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“Events like this provide wāhine with valuable access to panel speakers—many of whom have come through our Wintec programmes and are now thriving in the industry.

“We had a wāhine travel from Kāwhia who was interested in the electrical programme, and another student from Hamilton Girls' High School, keen on construction.

The annual event aims to clearly outline potential career pathways for wāhine in the trades and engineering space and provide real-world advice.

At school, McKenna Anne Lesley was unsure of what career path to go down, but that all changed when she found her passion for fabrication through Wintec’s Waikato Trades Academy in 2022.

She now works with Longveld as a Light Fabrication Apprentice, where she has the opportunity to work with a range of tools and machinery.

“One of my favourite parts of my job is the machinery I get to work with, like scissor lifts and mobile booms,” said McKenna.

Her advice to others thinking about a career in the trades or engineering is, “always just give things a go, just got to give it a try.”

When she was younger, Michaela Baucke thought a career in the trades meant only hairdressing or beauty for women, she is now living proof that it’s not.

The mum of two recently made the switch from the dental industry to the trades. She wanted a hands-on role and now works as an Apprentice Plumber, Gasfitter, and Drainlayer with FB Hall & Co Ltd.

“Now I wake up every day looking forward to going to work… Don’t let stereotypes hold you back. If you’ve ever thought about taking the leap, the answer is yes,” said Michaela.

The panel primarily included past and present Wintec students as well as a tutor:

• Michaela Baucke, Apprentice Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer with FB Hall
• Brooke Ellis, Electrician and Instrument Technician with Fonterra
• Xingyan (Amber) Zhang, Carpentry Apprentice with GZ Group Construction
• Bryar Cookson, Pastry Department Manager with Volare Bread
• Seymohn Bethwaite, Project Engineer with Downer NZ
• McKenna Anne Lesley, Light Fabrication Apprentice with Longveld
• Nicola Anderson, Automotive Tutor with Wintec

The event was made possible thanks to the following sponsors: The Toolshed, Plumbing World, Titus Consulting Engineers, and New Zealand Certified Builders.

Wintec offers a wide range of courses and qualifications to help students achieve their career goals. To see what’s on offer, head to wintec.ac.nz/study-at-wintec

If you are a Wintec trades or engineering graduate or student interested in sharing your story with aspiring wāhine, apply to join the 2026 panel. To register your interest, email info@wintec.ac.nz

About Wintec:

Wintec (Waikato Institute of Technology) is an institute of technology based in New Zealand's Waikato region. Wintec offers a wide range of degrees, diplomas and certificates. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, Wintec is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

Wintec is currently part of Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology, located in region 2 of the national network.

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