Name : Ana Maria Mercedes Gamero Otero
Company name : ACCIONA
Job title : Apprentice Boilermaker – Engineering/Fabrication Trade
If we had to step into your (she wear) shoes (pun intended), what could we expect a day in your life to feel like? :
Busy! My days usually start very early. I'm a mum of four, an apprentice and a TAFE student, so there is always something happening. At work I can be welding, cutting, grinding, measuring, fabricating or learning something completely new. Then I take my boots off, go home and I'm Mum again. Somewhere in between all of that I try to make time for myself, my family and the things I love. It can be exhausting, but I genuinely love the life I'm building. I didn't take the traditional path into a trade, so every day I put my boots on and go to work reminds me how far I've come.
What do you enjoy about your role? What is the favourite part of your job? :
I love that I'm constantly learning and creating something with my own hands. There is nothing better than stepping back and saying, "I helped build that." Being in a male dominated industry has helped me become stronger and more confident. And I won't lie, I absolutely love putting my workwear and boots on. They remind me how proud I am of the woman I've become.
How did you get into your role? What did you study or how did you learn your skills? :
My journey into trades didn't begin in my twenties. It began in my late thirties after one of the hardest chapters of my life. After experiencing family violence and going through the family court process, I found myself rebuilding my life from the ground up. I wanted a different future for myself and my children. Hope began through the AMWU and an eight week Introduction to Welding course. I had never imagined becoming a tradie, but the moment I picked up a welder, something clicked. I then made countless phone calls looking for an apprenticeship and was told more than once that I was "too old" to start. I refused to let my age define my future. Then Chisholm came along. I began my Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, continued developing my skills and eventually secured my apprenticeship. Everything I've learned has come through TAFE, incredible mentors, supportive employers and getting on the tools every day. What began as a way to survive became a career I truly love. Today I'm proud to be breaking stereotypes as a Latina migrant woman who started later in life. My journey has gone from surviving to striving.
Have you won any awards, earned any special recognition or been involved in something “out of the box”? :
I have been fortunate to receive AMWU Apprentice of the Year 2024, EWIT Apprentice of the Year 2025, the Bunnings Trade Women in Apprenticeships Award 2026, Chisholm Apprentice of the Year 2026, and to be a finalist in the Women in Industry
Awards 2026. The greatest reward is hearing another woman say, "If you can do it, maybe I can too."
What advice would you give to other women? :
Don't wait until you feel ready. Just start. I was told I was too old to begin, but I kept going. Ask questions, find mentors and never stop learning. Most importantly, when you walk through a door, hold it open for the next woman.
Do you have a favourite saying or quote, or mantra that you live by? :
My dad always said, "In life, it's not about how you fall, it's about how you get back up." I also believe the hardest roads are built for the strongest people. When life shakes you, plant your feet a little harder, walk with pride and always reach back to help someone else.
Tell us a funny story about your role or an amusing experience you’ve had :
My kids think I'm famous, rich and a tomboy! They Googled me at school and proudly told their teachers all about my awards. I had to explain I'm definitely not rich! Their only complaint is that there aren't miniature pink work boots so they can be just like Mum.
Have you ever encountered any negative experiences that, although difficult at the time, may have helped shape who you are today? :
Family violence, rebuilding my life and being told I was too old all shaped who I am today. Those experiences taught me resilience, empathy and the importance of helping other women know they belong in this industry.
How do you feel about your she wear boots? Any comments you’d like to make.
I genuinely love them. They're comfortable, practical and designed for women who actually work on site. I also love that I can still show my personality with my pink boots. According to my daughters, the only thing missing is a miniature version!
Why did you nominate yourself for the The Women in Apprenticeships Awards 2026 through Bunnings?
I self nominated because I wanted to recognise how far I'd come, and I also had beautiful friends who nominated and supported me. Reading what they wrote about me was emotional because they know the real story. They know where I started, the challenges I've overcome and where I am today. It reminded me they aren't just friends, they're family. Winning taught me that sometimes you have to believe in yourself enough to put your own name forward.
Representation matters. I'm a proud Latina migrant, a mum of four and a woman who started her trade later in life. If my story encourages even one person to believe in themselves and take that first step, then every challenge has been worth it.