In a workshop filled with powerful machinery, Erika Skuthorpe transforms raw metal into precisely engineered components that support critical infrastructure across Australia, bringing quiet determination to a field where women remain rare.
The experienced Fitter and Turner specialises in CNC machining, creating vital parts for industrial applications in energy and mining sectors.
“I’ll say I’m a Fitter and Turner and I do more of the CNC machining side and no one ever knows what I’m talking about,” said Erika. “We have big machines, including lathes and mills. We turn steel into shapes and drill holes and all that in it. We specialise in hydraulic bolt tensioning. We send our tools to power stations and mine sites.”
Erika’s journey to manufacturing wasn’t obvious from her early interests, coming to the field only after exploring different career paths.
“Growing up I didn’t know about any of it. I was right into soccer. That’s all I did,” said Erika. “When I was a kid, I probably wanted to be a police officer. I ended up going into working with kids.”
Her introduction to manufacturing came after health challenges forced a career reassessment, revealing an unexpected passion.
“I had a bad shoulder. I couldn’t move my arm at all. I ended up having time off work and then I got into work experience and found this job,” said Erika. “I did a bit of work experience in an actual engineering shop and I was like, yeah, this is what I want to do. Once I did that, I was like, yeah, this is it. It was a step I took for myself.”
Now in her seventh year with the same company where she completed her apprenticeship, Erika finds immense satisfaction in seeing tangible results from her work.