Female mechanics?

[tonyk]

The daughter has been looking for an apprentinceship since May and has been denied for stupid reasons; Vauxhall said she was over qualified and Guy Salmon said she was too determined.

I called up Guy Salmon, the particular branch and person she had an interview with; he denied ever interviewing her or any other female candidates this year.
This has annoyed me and upset her, this is all she’s ever wanted to do and yet no one takes her on because she’s a girl. Okay so she’s 20 and the funding is half paid by the Govt but she did inform them that she is happy to pay any expenses.

To me she’s the perfect candidate; smart, good sense of humour, back ground in cars, boyish at times and overall determined and hardworking.

She’s happy to stay in our area, drive to others and even move for one but no one is giving her a chance.

Is there any point of pursuing her dream or should she just find something else?
Regards, Tonyk.

[Dave20046]

where abouts are you based?

"too determined" is ridiculous, i'd try find a bit of proof that the interview took place (infact even if you don't have any) and complain to guy salmon HQ

The one thing she shouldnt do is give up on what she wants.
Keep trying and trying and the right thing will come along.

Also id go back to Guy Salmon and start getting angry ...but thats just how ive been bought up.

[dizzyblonde]

Bunch of A*holes!

Theres is no real reason why a smart girl can't do a mechanics job. In fact I know of at least one lass that left school to be a mechanic, see her regular in oily overalls.

The only reason I don't tackle my own bike stuff is because I don't have alll the suitable tools available, and nor do I have a garage, if I had these I would be hands in up to my armpits. I've never been shy of assisting when YC has done anything on my bike.

I think she should keep plugging at it, someone will let her in eventually.
Maybe she looks a bit too clean and tidy to be a mechanic, in her interviews

[tonyk]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

where abouts are you based?

"too determined" is ridiculous, i'd try find a bit of proof that the interview took place (and even if you don't have any) complain to guy salmon HQ

We're based Near Maaidenhead, she applied for the Ascot job as it's not much of a drive for her. She's got all the paperwork and kept all the letters of rejection, I say to her that if she was born a boy she'd get accepted like that 'clicks fingers'. They picked another lad from our area who hasn't got any upper arm strengh and takes a bus to work. Least she can lift the heavy stuff and got her own transport.

Pee's me off that you get apprentices that don't really want to get covered in muck, but this one is dying to get dirty and happy about long hours while on her feet.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by tonyk

...this one is dying to get dirty...

Daughter you say...

[Dave20046]

Ah that's miles away, there may be an orger with the right links near you though.

Is she applying for jobs herself (directly)? Just, if it's going through one of those 'line their pockets of the gov. and waste everyone's time in the process" apprenticeship companies they might be scuppering it for her by sending on the wrong CVs/info. I had to look at a few the other day at work and all the girls' CVs pretty much said "I want a job in retail because I love shoes". Probably not relevant if she's only looking for jobs being a mechanic but maybe worth double checking!

Wouldnt bother me having work done by a woman as long as the job is done correctly, should make no difference on the gender of the mechanic should it?
I would rather employ a woman who works hard with a good attitude than a lazy, bad mannered bloke.
Tell her to keep trying.

[tonyk]

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Ah that's miles away, there may be an orger with the right links near you though.

Is she applying for jobs herself (directly)? Just, if it's going through one of those 'line their pockets of the gov. and waste everyone's time in the process" apprenticeship companies they might be scuppering it for her by sending on the wrong CVs/info. I had to look at a few the other day at work and all the girls' CVs pretty much said "I want a job in retail because I love shoes". Probably not relevant if she's only looking for jobs being a mechanic but maybe worth double checking!

She's been going directly, she's regesterd with skillnet and apprenticeships.org, she just told me that all her applications will list her as a boy; least this way she'll get more interviews.

She's been calling up garages directly, they say "bring your son and we'll chat", she'll tell them it's for her and the usual reply, "right, drop your cv and we'll see."

Her cv is perfect as too is her covering letter.

[yorkie_chris]

Try get into more performance/specialist side IMO.

I've been about small garages for a long time and you wouldn't let a girl do half of that... rolling about on floor trying not to drop a gearbox on your head... very much a strength job and not one that's easy on you over time.

Maybe big garages with all fancy kit are not as bad though.