Women In Trades Wednesday- Chelsea Coulter
Chelsea Coulter is an apprentice in light automotive. She studied at MIT for one year, and has been with her current company for just over one year now.
How did Chelsea get into her apprenticeship? She explains: “I left school after I finished my NCEA level 2, and went on to study at MIT doing a light automotive course. When this was ending, I approached a few companies looking for an apprenticeship before the company I’m with took me on. Due to working and studying, I couldn’t start straight away, but fit a couple days a week in for about a month before going full time”
What does Chelsea’s day to day at work look like? “My day consists mostly of services, oil changes, brake fluid, diffs, those types of things. There are generally some brakes that need replacing, or some small diagnosis tasks I can take on too. My company do a lot of “retail” work so I some days fit towbars too”.
An interest in cars growing up inspired Chelsea to take on an automotive career, she tells us more: “I was deciding what I was going to do when I left school- because I wasn't too excited about it, and didn't want to work in a supermarket all my life. I had an interest in cars growing up, but didn't know too much about them. My grandmother suggested I go to MIT and do some studying, and then decide what I want to do. From there, I fell in love with the work we were doing, so decided I wanted to carry on with the automotive line of work and progress further.”
What challenges has Chelsea overcome to get to where she is? “There weren't any physical challenges, but there were a lot of mental challenges! When I started my study at MIT, there were five other females in my class. Over the terms, they all slowly left, until it was just me. I’ve never been big on having other females around, but during this time it was definitely a struggle. Going through high school, there were always people of other genders around, and at the job I had at the time, I worked with mostly females, so to be studying and then moving into a workshop with all males was quiet a struggle. At times, it’s still hard, but I feel lucky to have such a great team of males to work with, that most days I don't even notice being the only female. Once starting at the workshop, it was also a struggle being the youngest for a while, but all the boys accepted it and we get on super well so now it doesn't really matter”
What does Chelsea love most about her trade? “What I love most is surprising people with what I know, and what I can help them with. A lot of people are shocked when I tell them what I do for work!” She adds that her most proud career achievements so far are achieving her level 3 qualifications and getting a job with Toyota.
Her future career goals are to be fully qualified, and then to be able to move on to get her WOF (warrant of fitness inspection) license. She states she would also like to be able to open her own workshop- but this will take more than just being qualified.
Chelsea says her career hasn't really impacted her life outside of work; “It’s a normal 8am-5pm job which is really good, and also some occasional weekend work. Because I’m still studying, I’m struggling a little with my time and my volunteer job, but with good time management I make everything work- it would be like any other job while studying.”
What advice would Chelsea give someone looking to get into her line of work? “Definitely take the time to ask around local companies for opportunities- there will always be someone looking to take on apprentices. Also, don't be put off if you feel they look at you strangely because you’re female. When I was looking, a lot of companies didn't want me as an apprentice because of my gender and I was put off for a bit. I kept looking, and found this job that I love- with an amazing workshop team whom I’m not sure I could be without now. I would definitely suggest looking into bigger companies rather than the smaller ones- I feel it helps with studying as well, due to needing certain experience towards your apprenticeship.”
Along with her trade career, Chelsea has volunteered for the Targa NZ rally car event, and been a timing person for their start and finish lines at 2 events; “This was quite exciting and interesting to talk to other car people outside of work” she says of this experience.