When a train pulls into the station on time, few people think about the electric motors that power it, or the tradespeople who keep them running. As industries become more electrified and automated, demand for skilled tradespeople continues to grow. Across Australia, more women are discovering the opportunities that careers in technical trades can offer.

Eva Banks is one of them. Earlier this year, Eva joined ABB’s Motion Services team as an electrical fitter, servicing and testing the motors used across Queensland’s rail network.  

Her journey into the trade began with curiosity. After finishing school, Eva briefly explored university before realising she was looking for something more hands-on. It was a conversation with a close friend that introduced her to the idea of pursuing a trade. “My friend said to me, ‘You like doing things with your hands and figuring out how things work, why don’t you try a trade?’”

At the time, Eva didn’t know anyone working in the industry. To explore the idea further, she enrolled in a Certificate II course at TAFE, which introduced her to the fundamentals of electrical work. “It gave me a chance to see what the trade involved before committing to an apprenticeship.” she said. 

That first step led Eva to begin a four-year electrical apprenticeship, where she developed her skills through a combination of workplace learning and technical study. “You attend study blocks where you learn the theory, then go back to work and apply it straightaway,” Eva explained. “It’s a really effective way to build both knowledge and hands-on experience.” 

Like many technical fields, electrical trades are still largely male-dominated. During her apprenticeship, Eva was often one of the only women in the room. “At TAFE, it was usually just me and a room full of guys,” she said. While this sometimes meant having to prove her skills and build trust over time, Eva says the experience helped her grow. “You learn how to work with different people, and over time, you build confidence in what you do.”

Today, having earned her electrical fitter licence, Eva helps ensure motors run reliably through testing, maintenance and assembly. A recent visit to the train yard brought the impact of her work to life. “We saw where the motors go after they leave our workshop,” Eva said. “It’s pretty cool knowing the work we do helps keep trains running.”