Women In Trades Wednesday- Jess Garlick

My name is Jess Garlick, I am a Heavy Diesel Engineer by trade.

I have been working on Aircraft Engines for Pratt and Whitney- The Christchurch Engine Centre for the past 2 years.

I started off years ago doing work experience for Gough Cat, while I was doing my SIT Pre-Trade Automotive/Auto body course. 

I was positively shocked to be picked from the candidates for an engineering apprenticeship, with a Heavy Materials Handling strand.

Being a woman in a predominantly male role, I feel I have not been disadvantaged and have had equal opportunities. 

The Engine Centre has been great to me; they care about everyone and know that family comes first, which is so important.

My most proud career achievement would have to be finishing my apprenticeship so early or getting my face on a massive billboard opposite the mall.

An ordinary day for me is arriving to work, chucking my overalls on then going to a toolbox meeting and finding out what I will be working on for that day. It could be anything in the Hot Section; the High-Pressure Turbine, Nozzle Guide Vanes, the Diffuser, Number 4 Bearing, Combustors and so on.

I love being challenged and I can say that two days are never the same!

I have always loved being hands on and working on bikes and buggys in the garage for as long as I can remember. In the future I hope to run my own team or workshop. 

I have a young son who loves all things motorized also which is fun for me. We are pretty busy people but still have plenty of time for sports and bike riding; It will be interesting to see if the wee lad keeps following in Mummy's footsteps.

For any gals looking in to a similar career path I would like to say... There will always be the 'odd' person who doesn't agree with your career choice, or the 'odd' person who just plainly doesn't like you because of your anatomy. But that is their issue, if you are doing what you want to be doing, and are happy, then that’s all that matters. Go out there, smash your goals and do you! They probably are just odd after all.