Wintec welder wins Women in Apprenticeships award

Sasha Devia has been recognised nationally as an emerging female leader in the trades and construction industry, winning one of four Bunnings Women in Apprenticeships awards.

A graduate of Wintec’s Centre for Trades, Sasha received a special prize pack worth over $10,500, including tool vouchers and professional support to help her thrive.

Sasha Devia, Wintec engineering graduate and Bunnings Women in Apprenticeships award winner.

She graduated with merit from Wintec’s automotive engineering course in 2021 and is now working through her engineering apprenticeship as a fabrication welder with Tidd Ross Todd (TRT) in Hamilton.

“It all started at Wintec, and now I am a winner of the Bunnings apprenticeships awards 2025,” said Sasha.

“Wintec first opened the doors for me when I applied to automotive engineering… I learnt how to work on cars and passed with merit. I then joined the mechanical engineering class and learned how to weld, and I loved it!”

After three months of studying mechanical engineering with Wintec, Sasha successfully applied for an apprenticeship with TRT after hearing about the company from a presentation given to her class.

As the first female apprentice with TRT and the only female fabricator in the company, she is a role model for women who want to join the industry.

“I am very proud to be the first female apprentice at TRT… I genuinely love what I do, it’s so exciting,” said Sasha.

(L-R): Mary Carden - Co-owner TRT, Sasha Devia - award winner, Nick Marsh - Fabrication Manager TRT

Her advice to others seeking a career in the trades and engineering industry is to work hard and be curious.

“Be open-minded, work extremely hard; employers like to see hard-working people.

“If you have a couple of minutes to spare, instead of going on your phone, grab a broom and sweep, ask questions, and be motivated, this leads to great things”.

Amy Opperman, Wintec team manager for Plumbing, Electrical, and Industrial Measurement Controls, is extremely proud of Sasha’s achievements and believes she is an inspiration to women who wish to start a career in the trades.

“It is so fantastic when our previous students go on to win great things, especially when they were also one of our 2024 Wāhine in Trades panellists.

“I will never forget Sasha coming to the event in 2023 and asking me to be a panellist in 2024; she was so passionate to share her story. Now look at her go!

“It is common for our panellists to go on and win further awards, and Mechanical Engineering is very fortunate to have such a fantastic role model,” said Amy.

Sasha inspired future female trades and engineering professionals in 2024 by speaking at Wintec’s Wāhine in Trades and Engineering event.

Sasha Devia at Wintec's 2024 Wāhine in Trades and Engineering event.

The next edition of the annual Wāhine event, which aims to encourage more women to explore careers in trades and engineering, is set to take place on Wednesday, 27 August 2025. Learn more.

The Bunnings Women in Apprenticeships awards, presented by Bunnings Trade and the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), shines a spotlight on women in the trades and construction industry and provides career support to up-and-coming leaders, helping them to succeed and inspire others.