December 16, 2025 • 3 min read
From workshop to design desk:
Engineering a rewarding career
“I started out welding in a workshop. Now I’m designing for multi-million-dollar projects.”
Growing up in Mildura, Victoria, Australia, Denzel Woulfe always had a knack for building things. Watching his dad – a boilermaker by trade – sparked his first interest in engineering. But it wasn’t until he stepped into a night class at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and started learning AutoCAD in his own time that he saw a path to something more.
Now one of our Mechanical Design Trainee’s, Denzel is based in Perth and working on one of the country’s largest iron ore projects. “I didn’t finish high school,” he says. “But I realized I wasn’t out of options. I just had to find a different way forward.”
Finding belonging, building confidence
The transition from regional workshop to corporate design office wasn’t without nerves, but support was never far away. “I’m part of the Graduate Development Program, and that’s been a game changer. It connected me with others in the same boat – new to the industry, new to the city. We’ve built a strong support system.”
Since joining our team, Denzel has found mentors who believe in his potential, colleagues who were eager to share their knowledge and opportunities that are shaping a long-term career. “When I joined a major project for one of Worley’s mining customers, I realized I was contributing to something massive. Seeing your work on a screen is one thing, but knowing it’ll be built into the land for generations is powerful.”
With roots tracing back to his mother’s country, the Mitakoodi people in North Queensland, Denzel brings not just technical skills but lived experience and a unique cultural perspective to his role. “I grew up on Barkindji land. That’s the mob I associate with. It’s part of who I am, and it shapes how I see the work we do.”
Growing skills for a lifelong career
Now enrolled in an Advanced Diploma of Mechanical Engineering, Denzel has his sights set on becoming an engineer. His journey is proof that there are many ways to build a career in engineering; and they don’t all start at university.
“If you're a young Aboriginal person thinking about engineering, or even just looking for a new direction; just go for it. You’d be surprised at where it can lead.”
We’re proud to partner with Indigenous communities across Australia, creating pathways to rewarding careers; because diverse perspectives drive better outcomes for projects, for people and for the planet.
