Nara - Automotive Service Technician

Nara is a 4th year Automotive Service Technician Apprentice and was hired through apprenticesearch.com at Simcoe Honda in Simcoe, ON. As a female in a primarily male dominated trade and as an immigrant from England, Nara has had unique obstacles and experiences while pursuing her license.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What training and preparation did you require for your trade?

NARA: Personally, I think talking to a lot of people about different ways of attempting to do things is key; everyone is different.  I did a lot of watching and learning. But you can’t always get that, so sometimes you have to do things by yourself. That’s how you learn.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What are the most valuable skills that you have learned?

NARA: Talking to customers and hearing what they want, listening.  You have to accept what comes your way and you have to listen.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What do you find is the biggest challenge being an apprentice from another country?

NARA: In England, you aren’t allowed to even touch anything during your first year of an apprenticeship. It’s all watching and listening. It was difficult to keep reminding myself that here I have to learn by doing the tasks and asking for help, instead of learning by watching first. 

 

apprenticesearch.com: What do you think you need to be a successful Automotive Service Technician?

NARA: You need heaps of patience! That is something you definitely have to have.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What do you feel is needed to make you successful in your trade?

NARA: First of all, the ability to listen! 

Also, apprentices don’t have a lot of money and tools are really expensive, so if you start off as basic as you can and don’t get flustered about borrowing tools because you will be borrowing for many years.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.  Guys may have a problem asking for help more so than girls, so that is one advantage that females may have in this trade.  You can’t always read from a manual to understand how to do things, so you have to be able to ask for help.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What do you think employers are looking for in an apprentice?

NARA: I think the most important thing they look for is for somebody with a good attitude.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What advice would you offer to youth entering your trade as an apprentice?

NARA: Try and find a bigger place to work with lots of mechanics because, if it’s really busy, you don’t always get the help you need. If it’s a busy place and small, it’s harder to ask for help and learn how to do things.

Also, scout around for a good place that would be a good fit for both you and the employer.

 

apprenticesearch.com: Are there any misconceptions about being an Automotive Service Technician apprentice? (i.e. especially as a female)

NARA: There are not a lot of people entering the trades because they may be scared, especially as a female. But once you have gotten into it you realize it is for everybody. There’s not a lot of heavy lifting although it can be strenuous and take a lot out of you.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What do you think is the employment outlook for your trade?

NARA: It seems like the numbers are dwindling, the mechanics are getting older and there are not enough young people getting into it. They are getting into other trades, like electrical.  Also, women may be scared to do it. For example, they could be afraid of being ridiculed, being one of the few women on a worksite.

 

apprenticesearch.com: What insights can you offer other apprentices in the automotive sector?

NARA: They should think about the decision, feel out for themselves and not go straight into it if they are not sure which direction to go.  There are plenty of routes in the motive power sector, not just automotive service technician.

I would also advise someone to get some experience before you go into it, such as helping out your dad on the car.

As a girl, you have to have an open mind.  Also, having a sense of humour is key.  At a lot of workplaces, they will make fun of you if you are the only girl.  They will yell and tease you but be open minded and joke back.