A single mother trying to make a better life for her and her young daughter says she encountered a troubling and disheartening roadblock last month during her job search in St. John's.

Heather Lynch, 20, is a recent graduate from a nine-month welding course offered by Academy Canada.

She completed the program with honours, and earned two certification tickets from the Canadian Welding Bureau.

But the response she received from a manager at Paul Murphy Services left her wondering, at least briefly, if she made a mistake by pursuing a career as a welder.

It made me feel like I wasn't good enough and that men have a one-up on me because of their gender. It brought my hopes down of getting a job there or anywhere else because how many other people have that mentality, - Heather Lynch

Lynch was applying for one of four welding jobs at the company, but was told during a meeting with the manager that she would not be considered because of her gender.

"The man told me it was no place for a woman because there was heavy lifting and it was dirty work," Lynch told the CBC Radio program On The Go.

Equal opportunity

Lynch had been warned she may encounter gender bias in the construction industry, which has long been dominated by men.

But with recent advances on that front, and the growing number of females entering the trades, she was hoping to get an equal opportunity to prove herself.

"It made me feel like I wasn't good enough and that men have a one-up on me because of their gender. It brought my hopes down of getting a job there or anywhere else because how many other people have that mentality," she said.Her confidence was rattled by her encounter at Paul Murphy Services.

"It's a horrible feeling. Now I wonder why anyone else is not calling me back for jobs? Do they think I'm not capable?"

Lynch said if the hiring manager had said she was under-qualified, she would have walked away, no questions asked.

Denies discrimination

After speaking with Lynch, CBC reporter Jane Adey contacted the hiring manager at Paul Murphy Services to inquire about the job.

She received the same response.

"I asked about the qualifications needed but before I could even get to that and why I was calling, he said, 'Look, I gotta tell ya, this is no job for a woman.'"

"He said it's a hard job for a woman and that it was a man's job."

After identifying herself as a reporter, Adey said the man softened his stance, but continued to insist that welding jobs in their fabrication shop are not suitable for females.

He refused to acknowledge that such a position was discriminatory, and pointed out that the one female hired by the company worked for a week and didn't come back.

When contacted later, the owner of Paul Murphy Services, John Mathioudakis, insisted his company does not discriminate against females, and said he has clarified the hiring policy with his staff.

Mathioudakis, who refused to do a taped interview, said the hiring manager has worked with the company for just five months.

Not deterred

Lynch, meanwhile, is driving a taxi cab, but has not given up on her dream of working as a welder.

"It kind of makes me think I should have done something else. Maybe I should have done nursing or something like that. But I think about it and no, I really want to be a welder. I will get a job somewhere that appreciates me," she said.

Lynch has contacted the Human Rights Commission and asked for an investigation.

"People can't be getting away with denying a person a job for their gender, sexual orientation, or anything like that," she noted.

Karen Walsh, the executive director at the Office to Advance Women Apprentices, said Lynch's experience is not typical.

She said there has been much success over the years placing women in jobs as welders.