Pam Paredes
Breaking Gender Barriers: The Inspiring Story of Pam, The Welder
Date Posted: April 3, 2023
In theory and practice, the idea of spatial separation between home and work was related to the traditional sexual division of men and women, and of their role in the society going back to the idea of earliest feminist thinking that women are design to stay at home.
It all started when women entered the work environment. Women who had a great and remarkable contributions to the society especially in a male-dominated work environment. Pamela Paredes, 29-year-old graduate of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) proven herself that women can do more and that woman are the epitome of change.
Born and bred in the province of endless possibilities, Malita, Davao Occidental, Pam, as her family, friends and colleague called her, took up vocational course instead of a degree course due to inadequacy of financial resources. Thus, her parent’s wages cannot suffice their daily needs and support their education with her 5 siblings. As the youngest among the siblings, she is determined to make something out of herself and decided to provide for her family despite her uncertainty in life.
Pam spent her first job in a small retail store and eventually become a supervisor. But her income cannot end meet with her expenses and payables. She needs to hasten up and look for a more stable and well-paid job.
Working overseas is one of her option in feeling financially secure which opted her to enroll in a technical vocational course in TESDA which they heard in a radio advertisement the different programs and services being offered which is a great opportunity and avenue to work abroad.
With her strong and decisive personality, Pam chose welding which challenges her since it is dominated and a more men-like-job and wants to prove that we are past the age of dividing work into men’s or women’s job.
After finishing the course, they were required to undergo an On the Job Training (OJT) at Dusit Thani Residence, Davao City. The whole experienced become an avenue for her on becoming a more efficient and effective welder and learns precisely what the job entails for her.
She shared, “Didto nako na kita na ako lang isa babae na ng OJT at that time ug didto nako na realized na kaya kaayu sa mga babae ang welding kay need ug focus ug dapat detail oriented ka which is nature sa mga babae”. Pam’s experienced during her stint as an OJT made her realized that she can excel in this field and serves a role model for other women to pursue this kind of career. She also envisioned becoming a trainer where she can be an instrument in imparting the knowledge she acquired.
Pam was offered a job as an assistant in conducting Community-Based Training in far-flung barangays in Malita. She was encourage taking up Trainers Methodology (TM) Level I and later applied for National TVET Trainers Certificate (NTTC).
With her dogged determination and firm tenacity, she is now the lead trainer of SMAW NC I and NC II at Don Juan Technical Academy of Davao Inc., one of the partner Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) in Davao Occidental. She attended series of seminars, trainings, capability building programs and serves as an expert in SMAW during the Provincial Skills Competition in the province.