THREE months ago, Ashley Armstrong would have never thought a career in motor mechanics would be for her.
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Now the Horsham 20-year-old is doing an apprenticeship in light automotives at Wilson Bolton Holden.
“I went to Horsham College and after Year 12, I wanted to become a teacher. Then I realised that Uni wasn’t for me,” she said.
“My parents supported me and I was looking at all kinds of different jobs, as I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“At first I applied to do an apprenticeship in plumbing, and there were traineeships for different business.
“Then the opportunity to do an apprenticeship with Wilson Bolton arose through Skillinvest.
“I thought because I’m pretty interested in cars, that I should take the opportunity to make my way through as a female in a male-dominated field.
“It was so exciting when I got the job. Skillinvest has been behind me every step, it’s been incredible.”
Ashley has just completed her three month trial and will now start her official full time apprenticeship. She is the only female on the service floor.
“At the start I was really nervous but everyone has been so welcoming,” she said.
“It can be a bit intimidating sometimes, but all the guys have been so helpful and lovely. Even just a couple of days in I felt really at ease.
“I was even able to see myself being here in a more long-term role, finish my apprenticeship and go on to become a full time mechanic.”
She said her favourite thing about her job were the challenges she faced.
“It’s very hands-on and there’s always something different around the corner,” she said.
A couple of months ago I would have never pictured myself here, but having gone through it now, I love it and want to keep doing this.
- Ashley Armstrong
“Not every car is the same, so you really have to use your brains. It adds excitement to the role, being able to do something different everyday.
“A couple of months ago I would have never pictured myself here, but having gone through it, I love it and want to keep doing this.”
She said apprenticeships were a fantastic alternative pathway option.
“I’ve had a couple of male friends who are doing apprenticeships,” she said.
“I’ve got a couple of female friends who have done traineeships through Skillinvest.
“It’s good to see that a lot of my friends and myself who didn’t go to Uni, still have these pathways to go down.
“If I had wanted to do teaching, I would have had to travel to Ballarat or Melbourne.
“So I find it so convenient that I can do trade school in Horsham and not have to go down there, and stay away from home. It’s good to have that option available to us.
Skillinvest has connections with numerous local businesses seeking new employees.
It also places apprentices and trainees in a number of industries including agriculture, automotive, construction industries, business administration, information technology, civil construction, hospitality, engineering, and licenced trades such as electrical, plumbing and gasfitting
“There are so many apprenticeships you can do, there’s a big variety of what you can do which is what makes it interesting,” she said.
“You apply for all these different things and try them out, and you never know what might be the right fit for you.”
Ashley had some advice for other young women looking to start an apprenticeship.
“Just do it, I was really scared at the start, but now I’m here I couldn’t see myself anywhere else,” she said.
“There have been a couple of girls come through on work experience and I’ve said to them, ‘do what you want to do, you can’t let society tell you that you’re not able to do this when you can’.”
