Sparks fly in April's new job

An unemployed hairdresser from Mid Wales has proved she's a bright spark by retraining and finding a job as a welder.

April Burton, from Llansantffraid, near Oswestry, went back to college and then found work in her new trade with help from Jobcentre Plus.

In a story reminiscent of the 80s film Flashdance, April Burton has ditched her scissors for a blowtorch after successfully completing a work trial with welders, Sparks R Flyin, based near Ellesmere.

But the 32-year-old mum is keen to point out that life as a welder isn't as glamorous as it looks in the movies. "You end up really dirty and build muscles. I spend most of my days now covered in grease," said April.

Having claimed Jobseeker's Allowance since June of last year, April gained a City & Guilds certificate in Engineering (welding) at Coleg Powys in Newtown after realising that being a hairdresser wasn't what she wanted to do.

"I've always been a practical person, but it hasn't been easy trying to make it as a woman in what's seen as a man's world." she said. "I've encountered a lot of sexism trying to find work as a welder and have had people laugh at me down the phone.

"But during the war women were welding all the time, so it hasn't always been seen as something only for men - and I'm a great believer in equality," she added.

Jobcentre Plus advisor, Julia Sanderson, said: "It just goes to show how successful work trials can be."