Two young women at Inverell High School are proving again that there are no boundaries for females when it comes to their futures. In the process, they are heading to Sydney for the 2013 NSW Training Awards on Thursday.
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Courtney Harrison, year 12, currently working on her Certificate ll/lll in Light Vehicle Automotive will be receiving the Special Award for a Woman in a Non-Traditional Trade or Vocation sponsored by Women NSW. Emma McIlwain, also in year 12 is one of three nominated to receive the VET in School Student of the Year award. Emma is one unit from completing her Certificate ll in Aeroskills though TAFE in Tamworth.
Courtney took an introductory mechanics course and it piqued her interest. For two years she has apprenticed with Diesel Quip in Inverell. Owner Ross Worgan is happy to have her on the team.
“We’re very happy with her progress and she seems to enjoy the work.
“She’s very keen, she’s always pleasant, attitude to work is good. Willing to learn and listen, takes instruction well and then goes off and does the job,” Ross said.
“I want to finish my apprenticeship and then I will look at … going to the mines or the defence force and just building myself up to eventually open up my own shop,” Courtney said.
She loves the intricacies of rebuilding the fuel injectors in diesels and appreciates the level of focus and thoroughness it takes to get a job done.
Emma has been involved in Australian Air Force cadets in Inverell for five years and “I’ve always been interested in aircraft and when that course (Aeroskills) came up in year 11 subject selections I thought … why not?”
“I’ve had a couple of interviews … and (I’m) possibly able to get an apprenticeship next year if I wanted to with Aerospace Australia and BAE.” The apprenticeship would help her earn higher certificates in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. In addition to her certifications, Emma said she wants to go through and do aeronautical engineering though ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy).
“They’re totally different streams in a way, but it still builds on to my interest and my abilities,” Emma said.
Tamworth TAFE instructor Russell Hodgkins has trained Emma since April 2012.
“She was dead keen since she started and performed well in her practical and theory. I think she’d flourish as an aeronautical engineer.
“She’s got the drive and the academics capabilities.
“She’s got her head screwed on … and I think she’ll be an asset in no matter what she chooses.”
Both women have first hand knowledge of the obstacles facing women in male-dominated professions.
“To start with you have a lot of confidence issues,” Courtney said.
“I struggled to start with. You have people that tell you it’s not right and you shouldn’t be there … they’re a bit hesitant about you being female.
“Some of them are supportive, others not so much but you just push through it, pick and choose what you take to heart and what you don’t.”
Emma said: “I’m the only girl in my class - much like Courtney.
“When you first rock up … you feel a bit shy; you’re not really confident. But once you start … everyone’s on equal footing. You’re still learning the same thing, you’re doing the same stuff and it doesn’t matter what sex you are, it’s your ability they should look for; not just who you are on the outside.”
Since Courtney is the only school-based employee in her certificate among men working full-time in the industry, she said she sometimes feel a bit shy to answer questions.
“But when it comes to the diesel, I enjoy it ‘cause I know more than they do!”
Both women agreed that the playing field has levelled in their courses when it comes to relationships.
“You grow with them in a way. In the time you’re there you get good friendships,” Emma said.
Courtney added: “And they work out that you’re not a little girl; that you can do what they can do-you might have to do it in a different way, but you can do what they can do.”
