BY KALSUM MOHAMMADIN
Her passion in welding grew as she began to learn to cut and weld iron
“Gender is not an excuse when it comes to choosing a job.
“As long as you have the spirit and the will to do it and do not give up, you can do it,” said Nurhaifienabilla Irma Shuhada Mohamad Haizirrul, a young lady who has been working as a welder since 2020.
Known as the ‘Iron Lady’, Nurhaifienabilla, commonly known as Abell, used to be a student majoring in Business at Kuching Polytechnic.
She became interested in welding as a career after helping her uncle to make a food cart.
Eldest of five siblings, she is one of the few female welders in a field dominated by men.
“No matter what job you want to do, even if it is in a field dominated by men, what is important is a high spirit and desire to do the job that you want.
“After completing Form Five and armed with my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate, I continued my studies at Kuching Polytechnic.
“However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, I could not finish my studies while in my fourth semester,” she told New Sarawak Tribune.
Unable to focus on online learning, Abell started a new chapter in her life ― by helping her uncle to make food carts in a workshop. Since then, it has been a year and a half.
Abell’s passion in welding grew as she began to learn to cut and weld iron.
“I’m not easy to talk to but I asked everyone who doubted me to give me the opportunity to do my work first. I am assisted by a cousin in my work,” she said.
Known for her assertiveness, courageous and independent nature, the gutsy lady was recently featured in Episode 12 of ‘Hustle Hasil’, a show on TVS.
She also broke traditional records by becoming the first 20-year-old woman to venture into the field of welding by making food carts for Umbi Enterprise.
Abell said she wanted to help street and small traders hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic survive by making food carts for them.
She predicted that the demand for food carts in future would increase to six a month.
Abel also talked about the challenges she faced in getting her supply of iron materials to make the food carts.
She explained that materials to make food carts were usually purchased in bulk to reduce shipping costs, volatile prices and also ensure sufficient supply.
“Apart from that, it is clear that the use of social media such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and TVS is very effective for advertising purposes.
“Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) use food carts widely in urban and rural areas.
“To ensure the safety and comfort of customers, we also help food cart traders to buy suitable canopies or covers.
“Not only are our prices reasonable but the quality of our products is very good,” she added.
Abell advised the younger generation not to be picky about their jobs and not to give up too early if they wanted to achieve success.
“Job opportunities are aplenty for the youth as long as they have the will to do their best to make them work.
“What is important is to do something or a job that you are interested in even if you do not have the expertise. You can acquire the expertise later on,” she said.
