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Kimberly is a third-year Automotive Service Technician (AST) apprentice working at JKL Vehicle Repair in Oshawa since April, 2005. She fast-tracked her apprenticeship by successfully completing exemption tests for her basic and intermediate in-school training at Durham College. Kimberly credits her mother with steering her into the trade. When she needed an additional course in Grade 10, her mother suggested auto mechanics. Always fascinated by 'backyard mechanics' - tinkering with the cars of her family and friends - Kimberly was hooked. Through Grades 10, 11, and 12, she took three auto mechanics courses and two Cooperative Education programs. She was the only girl in her Grade 12 automotive graduating class. Her uncle promised that if she got the highest mark her graduating year, he would buy her a toolbox. Kimberly came through with 99.9%. At JKL, Kimberly works from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m with some Mondays and Fridays off. She works in a clean environment. Fumes are extracted by a pipe attached to the tailpipe of the car being worked on. Oil and fluids are disposed of in suitable containers. She has become used to the noise and vibrations from the compressor, air tools despite the fact she is able to wear ear plugs. She routinely wears coveralls, steel-toed boots, and occasionally uses safety glasses and welding gloves. Working safely in automotive shops is a matter of common sense; remaining focused, knowing where everyone is, and knowing when to stand clear, as when jacking up cars. It is critical to know how the machinery works and whether a co-worker has closed down properly, as in putting the safety lock on the hoist. Occasional scratches and burns are unavoidable due to the engineering or some vehicles. For example, with a heavy workload and time constraints, employees cannot always be working on a car that is completely cool. Kimberly enjoys the opportunity to diagnose and work on any vehicle that comes into the shop, doing a variety of jobs like oil changes, exhaust repairs, electrical, and tune-ups, and changing/fixing tires, brakes, and steering components. You name it she does it. She appreciates her boss's trust in her, how he relies on her consistent knowledge of the latest automotive technology, and his sense of humour. Kimberly is constantly expanding her knowledge and skills. She recently took a heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning course even though it is not required by her current employer. Also, taking advantage of her Automotive Service Technician training and experience, she is registered as a second-year Truck and Coach Technician apprentice. Kimberly's biggest challenge has been finding an employer to hire her as an apprentice. It took two years to obtain her first apprenticeship after graduating from the Automotive Technician and Service Management Program at Durham College in 2002. During that time she was found working at the parts counter in Canadian Tire, NAPA and in an automotive-related call centre which earned her some respect for her knowledge. Kimberly has also been challenged by the lack of credibility and respect she has received from some male employers, co-workers and clients along the way. She has learned to deal with negative comments by speaking her mind only after taking the time to word her responses properly. Nevertheless, the attitude of some clients still can be difficult. Kimberly is not in her trade for the money. "She would rather love what she is doing for a living then to make a lot of money." An apprentice makes in the region of $9.00 to $15.00 per hour. Success as an Automotive Service Technician requires: self-motivation; tolerance for bending, twisting, reaching, and working in the crammed spaces of the new cars; a good memory for fine tuning and understanding the readings and operation of the scan tool; the ability to keep up with the rapidly advancing technology; and the patience and good humour to help co-workers. Kimberly's advice to anyone interested in this trade is to get a broad hands-on experience as early as possible. High school students should take Cooperative Education Courses or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Kimberly is a great advocator of having machine shops in the high schools so that the students can build their confidence with hands-on experience on site to see if this is really what they want to do in the future. She also advises: "Don't wait for the perfect job or a lot of money to start working in the trade. You will get shop maintenance, oil changes, and demanding tasks sometimes, but make sure that you're also getting the fullest apprenticeship experience possible. Be confident. Ask for more work. Prove yourself. Gain respect. If you are offered $9:00 per hour, take it. You can try for $10. You may not get it right away but you'll make it up later. It takes time to learn to live with any negative attitudes directed at you as a woman working in the automotive trade. Don't give up or let anyone talk you out of it." In her plans to open her own garage one day, Kimberly envisions a glass panel between her shop and her friend's hairstylist salon. Clients can have their hair done while waiting for their cars. She will definitely hire women apprentices. Kimberly sees her trade expanding as mechanics use better communication with their clients, using non-technical language, giving them specific information about their car problems, and inviting them to look at the problem that is occurring with the vehicle. Women with mechanical aptitude will do well if they can deal with the stress of proving themselves. Kimberly enjoys spreading information about her trade. Toward the end of 2004, she gave a presentation to high school students, parents and other interested parties at the YMCA's Durham Employment Services. Two years ago, she led a basic automotive club through the Durham East 4-H Association, where youth aged 10-21 can experience various activities and learn skills. In her spare time, Kimberly umpires baseball three times a week and plays lacrosse, soccer, baseball and volleyball. But... if someone has a car problem, she's right there! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
®1999 DURHAM REGION LOCAL TRAINING BOARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
