My question is, what kind of obstacles is she going to have, or advantages if any if this is what she really wants to do it. For people in the business, how likely would it be that you would take on a female apprentice? She's nearly 16, has zilch experience with cars, but has been looking at career options and has thought about this and decided this is what she wants to do. Any suggestions on what subjects she could do at school next year, she's taking maths obviously. She is able to do a Certificate in Engineering next year through Polytech but while still at school, which is the closest thing I can find that fits with anything close to mechanics. I just thought it could show that she's capable of working with her hands? She's doing a Diploma at school this year but she has every Friday off so she was thinking she should try and see if she can get some work experience in a mechanic workshop somewhere to see how she likes it. Any tips to make her stand out from the boys would be appreciated.
reggienz,
Jun 17, 9:19am
Great. There's a few female mechanics out there. There's no reason why she can't do it. After all, whats the difference between a male and female mechanic apart from gender.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 17, 9:21am
I would suggest she gets a car that is in need of some TLC, something with cheap easily available parts and a good workshop manual. I could suggest a few as could others. Start getting her hands dirty, qualifications are all well and good but what's missing from your story is the passion/home hobby aspect.
A small engine (briggs lawnmower etc) again with workshop manual would be a great asset as well, something she can dissasemble and hopefully reassemble again. Even a non functional one, a lawnmower shop or similar would likely give her one if she asked nicely.
An aptitude with electronics/computers and some associated experience wouldn't go astray either IMO.
She might find gender wise that she is in even more demand than a male if she finds the right angle. For example some trucking companies prefer female drivers as they tend to be more mechanically sympathetic to the very expensive equpiment. Likewise, female customers might feel more comfortable and percieve they are less likely to get ripped off with a woman.
If Sybil Lupp could do it so successfully in the 30's - 40's I see no reason why your daughter can't 75 years later!
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 9:31am
OK thanks thejazzpianoma, the lawnmower idea sounds good. Yep she's really good on computers.
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 9:31am
LOL, I don't know, are there physical things that she wouldn't be able to do that a man could? Serious question.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 17, 9:32am
Watching this guy's channel would be useful too, he is very basic in his approach, minimal tools,keeps everything simple etc. A good way to get a grounding in the basics.
In a properly equipped workshop, shouldn't really be. You have to remember that with OSH and the way things are designed, workpractices, better tools etc now that doing hard jobs by hand is fading out.
Some places even have tyre lifters etc for putting wheels on nowadays.
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 9:37am
Actually her brother has a 1989 Ford Ute that he uses to drive to work which he hates with a passion, he's probably going to sell it soon, I might get her father to show her how to do an oil change, change a tyre, and do all that kind of stuff. She goes for her learners in November, so she might like it better than her brother. He just thinks it's embarrassing, LOL.
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 17, 9:38am
That's great, she might want to look in to and consider going in the direction of being a diagnostician. (Think Dr House for cars). This is even less physical, is potentially where the money is and can be very interesting. It also puts her on the cutting edge of where cars are heading.
Much of this will be well over her head to start with, but none the less having a browse of this guys videos will give her an idea of what that involves.
There is a huge demand for proper diagnosticians from what I can see, even fancy dealership garages seem to have too many "parts changers" and not enough people who can actually identify exactly where problems are efficiently.
I don't think there is.apart from (Without trying to sound to sexist) there might be the occasional tight bolt that requires some brute force. (men in general are more brutal than woman) Then again nothing a good practical approach or technique wont overcome.which just comes down to experience.
bigfatmat1,
Jun 17, 9:39am
What jazz says to
thejazzpianoma,
Jun 17, 9:40am
Perfect. That's exactly what I was thinking. See if you can get a Haynes manual or similar workshop manual for it. Haynes manuals while not brilliant for advanced mechanics are a fantastic place to start for the likes of your Daughter. They are written for the home mechanic and do a pretty good job of explaining the basics. If she just starts reading it at the beginning she will get some good background (lots of preface, work practice ideas, tool explanations etc). It will cover the basics like oil changes and basic body repair too.
tintop,
Jun 17, 9:40am
Your profile says you are in Australia ? Surely the situation is different there ?
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 9:48am
Yes, I'm in Australia, aren't cars the same everywhere? My son just got a fridgee apprenticeship, but he still had to work hard to get it. He emailed every air conditioning company in our area asking for some work experience, and one guy answered. He then went and worked for him every Friday for free for a year, after which they offered him an apprenticeship. I'm thinking along the same lines for my daughter, I just wanted to know where she should start, and what kind of things could make her more employable for work experience to get her started. Thanks for all your comments so far, they've been really helpful.
I was looking at this place recently, they take on apprentices in bulk every year, but I don't even know what half those jobs are. Heavy Equipment Vehicle Mechanic, is that specialised?
Cat offer some of the best training in the world. It would be more than a foot in the door it would be a fantastic career working for a industry leader! We have the same here with Goughs inhouse training and the latest equipment. Heavy vehicle technician is what some would call a diesel mechanic working on the big stuff. which always has some of the most advance technology. I work on the big stuff in a different field of expertise. But there is better money in it. and I find it more challanging and enjoyable. A lot of this work is also on site which makes it more fun rather than being in a workshop day in day out. Also the work would be more varied, could be from a little vibrating roller to a loader, excavator or a massive dump truck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC5xzmeYP74
tintop,
Jun 17, 10:03am
Yep - cars are much the same anywhere - but training, equal job opportunities, work practice may well be different.
tintop,
Jun 17, 10:04am
+1 :)
catwoman1974,
Jun 17, 11:58am
I know a woman who is a mechanic in the RNZA
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 12:45pm
Gosh that's massive. Thanks, I will look into different options around.
tahnasha,
Jun 17, 12:48pm
Not sure how or if they are different here, work practices might be different in that its beer o'clock alot earlier over here.
richardmayes,
Jun 17, 7:02pm
Good for her! My wife is an industrial electrician - she worked in retail after she left school, and she said the best thing about getting into a trade was "not having to work with stupid little b____ (girls)"
She also said it's not straightforward being a woman working in a traditionally male industry, and it's an illusion/delusion that men and women get treated equally; but then that's the case in most fields not just trades. The work was more rewarding, and the pay was better.
mrfxit,
Jun 17, 8:43pm
Puts a whole new look on the old expression for hard working of "head down, bum up"
kazbanz,
Jun 17, 8:51pm
Ask yourself that. ARE there physical things a guy can do that SHE can't do? Nope Im not in the gutter or being a smart alec here.You are better informed/qualified to answeer the question about what this girl can and can't do. The ONLY issue i can see for a girl is long hair causing a hazard. Again not being a smart alec but it is concidered to be a very real issue.
edangus,
Jun 17, 9:00pm
Good on her, good luck to her. Having associated and worked with Female Mechs and Engineers, it can be a hard road (not just because she is female, but because of the amount of crap we all like to give each other). But if its her passion, she will make it.
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