That’s something Hannah Legg, CEO and Founder of HER Engineering has never done. Always getting her hands dirty and striving for more, her hard work has more than paid off leveraging her incredible career to start her own business.
Hannah always knew she would end up in a career where she was diagnosing problems, pulling things a part and putting them back together again.
“I raced dirt bikes when I was younger, I loved it. I also loved pulling apart components, right down to engines and was always fascinated by making something out of nothing and turning it into something that ran, like an engine.
“My brother was a fitter machinist too and he would bring stuff home that would have me so fascinated! Then I started seriously looking into fitter machining and saw the kind of money you could earn and couldn’t believe the financial stability I would be able to achieve,” she said.
In years 8 and 9 at high school Hannah started doing woodwork and metalwork, and as soon as she could start applying for apprenticeships, she did. She set herself up as best she could, even completing a pre-apprenticeship course at TAFE in a bid to stand out as a valuable applicant.
Hannah applied for an apprenticeship in year 10 and was knocked back.
She didn’t give in, heading to Hunter Trade College for years 11 and 12 completing work experience across multiple companies all over the Hunter Valley, taking in as much as she could until she graduated 1st year as a Cert III Engineering Fitter Machinist.
“In 2010 I started working with Kings Engineering. I agreed to do the first year of my apprenticeship again but with them, even though I was already passed out on all the qualifications.
“I became the first woman to be a tradesperson in 93 years at Kings Engineering. I never thought of myself as being any different though, I was still just one of the boys, a young blood turning tradie with still so much to learn. I learnt so much there with incredible, inspiring tradesmen and it was so good to see after I finished there were more women coming through wanting to start a career in trades and give it their all.
“I think sometimes women don’t realise they can do it, they don’t give themselves the courage to go for it. Often, women don’t think they’re strong enough, or smart enough to take on the challenge, but there is always someone there to help you! Capability isn’t defined by gender, it’s built through hard work, resilience and just backing yourself.
“And leverage is your best friend,” laughed Hannah.
Hannah spent eleven years with King Engineering, always striving for more. More experience, more qualifications and more to make her the best at what she does.
She worked six days a week for a while, gaining her Cert III Mobile Mechanic, Cert III Auto Electrician and Cert IV Engineering (Fluid Power). Hannah spent some time with Westrac completing her trade upgrades and after falling in love with a Liebherr 9800 at Rix’s Creek mine tried her luck and successfully applied for a job at Liebherr.
After two years at Liebherr, Hannah decided it was time for a change.
“I lost my best mate, my nephew, and I always used to say to him that one day I was going to start my own business. This was the turning point for me when I thought, bugger it, life is too short. I can’t just say I’m going to start my own business and not do anything about it; it was time to back myself and make my nephew proud.
“My husband pushed me too, he could see the potential and he backed me from the get-go. He said there’s no right time, you just have to start, get in and do it. Honestly, as soon as I did, I had no regrets.
“Westrac contacted me straight away asking me to mentor their apprentices, Thiess Mount Pleasant called and asked if I wanted to come back and work with them. I’m full-time equivalent working on their site looking after their tier one equipment. My best mate also asked me to do some work with Swietelsky Rail as a breakdown fitter.
“Then I started the HER Engineering Machine Shop which is getting bigger than I thought which really goes to show how far word of mouth and reputation can take you.”
Given the scale of the machines and the work Hannah does, we wondered whether she had ever been faced with a job that made her question if she could actually do it.
The answer? No.
“I remember my foreman at Kings, he said everything is easier when you know how. He said ‘Han, you drive a manual car don’t you? Was it hard to learn? Did you stall it over and over and over again? But now you can change gears without thinking about it’.
“Now its second nature to me. It made me realise yes, it’ll be hard and I’ll fail and fail again, but everything gets easier when you know how. Don’t ever give up on yourself.
“Keep it simple stupid was the best thing anyone ever told me! The KISS method applies to everything. Plus being organised will benefit you in so many ways, even though others often call mine organised chaos!”
Hannah’s reputation and success not only in her career but as a businesswoman has seen her recognised for some prestigious awards. Hannah was the 2021 Outstanding Trade, Operator, or Technician at the NSW Mining Women in Mining Awards and went on to take out Highly Commended at the National Awards that year.
In 2024 she was named the Exceptional Young Woman of the Year at the NSW Mining Women in Mining Awards.
“It blew me away to even be nominated and recognised for such an outstanding award. I had tears in my eyes, and then to go on and win both, it was outrageous! I was truly grateful.
“To be recognised for my company in 2024 and myself to be nominated in 2021 with all those incredible women just blew me away.”
Hannah has been mentored by some amazing tradesmen and is a mentor to many young men and women. She’s often asked what her best piece of advice would be for anyone wanting to pursue the career she has.
“Show you’re passionate, come into it wanting to learn. Show initiative, don’t stand with your hands in your pockets, I never have! Ask questions, be curious, and listen. Be a team player and have fun.
“Learn from your mistakes, don’t beat yourself up about it. Don’t be scared of anyone on site either, they’ve all been where you are, everyone starts somewhere.
“Always have a smile on your face, if you see someone is down go and talk to them. And always make sure you take a cake if you make a mistake – it definitely helps the situation – or when you start on a new crew!”
