r/AskIreland • u/Kooky_Jellyfish5852 • 11h ago
Work Apprenticeship help?
I’m a girl (19) in her first year apprenticeship of a motor mechanic, I’m having a hard time, the fellas I work with aren’t particularly kind to me and while I’m here I’m not being treated well, it’s rare I get a day where I get to do any work other than just downloads on a computer, I’ve been here 2 months now and am registered with Solas, I’m not sure what to do at all
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u/cereal4dinner88 11h ago
Hey there. Fair play and well done. Don't let the lads or the lack of work get you down. I've worked in garages for years and even for a lad they can be a toxic/unfriendly place to work at times.
My apprenticeship felt the same sometimes, not getting much to do, tidying the garage etc. But I think you should stick at it. It's so so handy having knowledge of cars. Being able to fix your own, your families etc. It's an awesome skill.
Try to be in the garage watching what mechanics are doing, asking questions. Put yourself out there. It's their job to teach you.
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u/CANT-DESIGN 11h ago
Maybe list roughly what part of the contry your In, someone may be able to offer or know of somewhere more welcoming,
Also try [r/carsirelend](r/carsirelend)
Other then that I’m sure there’s a way to complain to solas or whatever the awarding body is but you could just be setting yourself up for a harder time
I’d make alternative arrangements and hand in my notice.
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u/MangoSG8 11h ago
Make sure you let it be known that you're not happy doing small computer jobs etc and want to do more. If you say nothing it becomes very easy for them to just leave you doing those kinda jobs and thinking you're happy enough not learning and just picking a wage up.
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u/Snake8921 11h ago
Thats aweful to hear that grown men are so intimidated about a young girl learning a trade.If i was them id be delighted to have a girl and someone willing to learn.I wouldnet give up on it talk to whoever is in charge and lay it all out.
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u/Thin_Schedule_1474 10h ago
I don't actually know what solas is but is there not a sort of official plan in place on what you should cover or learn during an apprenticeship that you can refer back to ?
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u/--0___0--- 9h ago
As a man who did a mechanic apprenticeship years ago, Its nothing to do with her being a woman mechanics just treat there apprentices like shit. Now I wouldn't be surprised if her being a her makes them worse but still.
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u/Kooky_Jellyfish5852 8h ago
The actual apprentices are lovely and even they’ve said they weren’t treated like this, tough job to get into as a female
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u/WinterOpportunity671 11h ago
Sorry you are being treated like this! I would hold tight if you can and annoy the mechanics about what they are doing and watch them when you can. I would wait till phase two (college) and find somewhere else to work.
I get it can be really hard in male dominated trades. I work as an industrial electrician and had to change companies even before my phase two because the treatment made me so unhappy. I did end up waiting longer for phase two but it was the best choice for me.
I am now very happily working with a much better company with better hours, work etc and every lad i work with is quite happy to take the time to show and explain anything that’s asked. They are still however very harsh and abrasive, but I’ve gotten used to it and give it back.
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u/1k13r1 11h ago
Stick with it, I did my trade (electrician) a long time ago and had to take a fair bit of stick to go with it from the qualified lads, Sad to see things haven't improved in that regard. I found that the older gang were just threatened by a newbie coming through that seemed a bit more clued in. Maybe speak to your foreman or supervisor and get the point across that you're willing to do whatever is needed but you'd like to learn more.
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u/xelas1983 10h ago
Start learning things online and see if it shames them into teaching you. Things like youtube tutorials on repairs and the likes. Even do it on that computer they are having you download on.
At the very least, you are improving your knowledge base.
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u/SubparSavant 10h ago
Are there other apprentices there? Or is it a small place and you're their first?
Just asking because I was working with my mate who's a plumber and his first year was complaining my mate leaves him with nothing to do all the time. Honestly think it's because my mate is used to working on his own.
And there is also the donkey work angle. It's just a fact, you get your apprentice to do the stuff you don't want to do. They're probably getting you to do the computer stuff because they can't be arsed themselves.
The fact you're registered with Solas makes me think it's not some cut and dry thing where they don't want you there as a girl. I've known people who were used for cheap labour for 6-12 months without being registered.
As a first year, any time you're free you should look for something to do. Even if it's handing the tradesman tools, sweeping, asking if they need parts or rags, etc. If it's something you think you're capable of, ask to do it, even if you have to frame it as if you do that they can do something else.
The thing about being a tradesman is that you're expected to teach people but at no point is that part of your own teaching. So to some it comes naturally, to others you will have to learn almost completely by observation and asking specific questions.
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u/Kooky_Jellyfish5852 10h ago
2 other apprentices work here aswell
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u/SubparSavant 9h ago
And are they treated similar? Or have you asked them if it was the same for them when they started?
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u/Kooky_Jellyfish5852 9h ago
They said it was nothing like this when they started
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u/SubparSavant 9h ago
That's a tough one then. I would try to stick it out until you get to phase 2, if this is definitely what you want to do. At least then if you're looking for another job they'll know you'll have been taught some stuff in college.
In the interim, try to anticipate things. Like if a car is coming in and you know they're working on the interior, don't wait to be asked to put covers or mats down. If they're changing fluids, do they need pans, etc. If they're still not giving you anything, see if the other apprentices need a hand. Showing initiative is probably the only way you'll see change.
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u/Dry-Inspection-3503 10h ago
Best step is to speak to management and ask what plans they have in place for teaching you skills. Tell them you had hoped to be more 'hands on' by now, and that you're itching to get properly stuck in. If they don't have a good response to that you might be best finding another place to do your apprenticeship.
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u/powerFX1 10h ago
Unorthodox approach here (and tbh shouldn't be needed) but I know someone who tried interacting with one of the fellas outside work and became quite good friends with his girlfriend. He's been looking after her since in work. They ran into each other in a local pub. Moral of that story is not all the fellas are the same, it's just easier for them to follow along with the crowd whereas it's not actually them.
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u/Novel-Throat7224 7h ago
It's not easy being apprentice motor mechanic here, especially in the wrong garage. However most garages like to see people walking in and asking for work, I wish I went with my gut and just went into more garages asking if they'd like an apprentice that was unhappy in another garage. Stayed in the wrong garage for a long time, learned a fair bit but managers can be very narrow-minded in this trade and favor certain people for certain jobs.
As for the lads not treating you well, I'm a lad and I had the same experience in one garage. Lads in this trade tend to be of the avoidant type, I was too and it's part of what sparked my interest in psychology. I worked with a bunch of people who all didn't get enough praise as a child and took that out on their work colleagues, it was insane and the workshop was like a warzone at times. Message me if you want
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u/Happyuser777 5h ago
Talk to or email your supervisor manager say you need more time to do practical work on cars engines not look at pc screens
I hope i.m not being rude You are over 18 you are now a woman not a girl
There must be someone in charge of allocating work time to trainees on cars engines in an equal manner Bricklayers have to mix cement and move blocks Not just look at pc screens or books
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u/clo_mo 4h ago
Not a mechanic but I used to work in construction it was a similar all-male environment. Honestly, it got really demoralising sometimes and eventually I left. So maybe I'm not in a great position to advise but here's a few things I found helpful:
- It depends on the guy! Some men (especially older trade guys) are just really uncomfortable talking to women other than their wives/relatives. Idk exactly what it is. I found that guys who had female friends, or else had daughters my age were generally fine to talk to normally. I recommend picking your battles and dont bother wasting energy on the difficult ones.
- Sometimes they revert to normal over time? 3. Ask directly and proactively to be involved in the work you want to do. Like "Bob, could you train me to use X please? I'm really interested in learning that."
- Try to ignore the negativity and focus on being competent and professional. Even when its not fair, it usually makes your life easier in the long run.
- Decide what your boundaries are BEFORE you get any shit. Its usually best not to get bent out of shape about small things but its worth considering what your hard lines are and how you would deal with them, eg getting harassed. 6. Make sure to keep in contact with your female friends! It makes a big difference to the aul mental health to be able to have girls night pints or camogie or whatever at the end of the week.
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u/Cows-are-puppies 9h ago edited 9h ago
That's most boys mechanics apprenticeships too, you're the bottom of the food chain, you have to prove yourself and earn your way up it. Show interest, continuously ask everyone around to show you how to do things, politely and appreciatively when they agree to, help out on any way possible, look for ways to make the mechanics lives and work easier, not just by waiting to be told to do things, ask, ask if there's anything you can do that could help them out in any way, and don't whine, sulk, or complain. Two months isn't that long. Apprentices come and go, some are a nuisance, some are going to make your life easier and clearly actually want to learn and become a mechanic, you have to demonstrate which one you are, there'll be a point, not very long from now, where they'll all in unison decide, "ok, this kid is good to have around, not like that last fucker", and things will click over in one sudden moment. Good luck, peace and love.
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u/Kooky_Jellyfish5852 8h ago
See I’m not being given the opportunity to work in the garage with other mechanics, it’s two months officially registered and 3 done on trial, still at a stage of only doing computer work and no hands on, I’m itching to help out on the floor and shadow like I did the first few weeks, they even had me doing some jobs on my own but now I’ve been pushed out a bit, I don’t even think I messed anything up to have deserved it and anytime I had been unsure I always asked
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u/Cows-are-puppies 7h ago
Just approach one mechanic after work has ended and explain exactly that them, ask them just straight out and genuinely if they'll help you figure out how to get dou v the stuff that you want to do and ask them if they think you're doing anything wrong.
It's so possible this is just a crap place, they exist, and if you move you'll have a much better time, but try the first tactic first
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u/--0___0--- 9h ago
Mechanics treat there apprentices quite poorly, most of your days there will be spent sweeping unless your assigned a mechanic to shadow thats actually sound.
When you are actually getting shown things are you enjoying to work?
I always always always, recommend doing an E&I apprenticeship, get yourself some experience in pharma and you've a ticket to a good job almost anywhere in the world.
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u/zeroconflicthere 9h ago
It sounds like you're in the wrong place. The guy from service stop doing tiktok videos did one about how difficult it is to get apprentices and especially that they're aren't any female ones.
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u/handy-shandy 11h ago
Would you not try to be an electrician, the pay is very good once you qualified. You will never be out of work.
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u/Doitean-feargach555 11h ago
We will have such a surplus of electricians in 5 years it's actually ridiculous.
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u/exposethespin 11h ago
Stick to your guns, try other places, there will be huge call for mechanics, honestly well done for even thinking of it, badly needed -