Posted: Thursday 10 June 2010

Women Mechanics Motor Ahead

More women than ever are pursuing careers as mechanics, thanks to Kilmarnock College's wide range of motor vehicle courses.Currently 15 women are studying motor vehicle courses on a day release and full-time basis at Kilmarnock College and over the last year, the College has seen the biggest increase in female interest with almost 15% of the students on motor vehicle courses women.

Marion Benzie (44) from Kilmarnock studied the PDA in Motor Vehicle Systems last year and is now studying the NQ Vehicle Body and Repair course at Kilmarnock College. After being out of work for a number of years due to illness, Marion decided to turn her life around and returned to education.

Marion commented: "I wanted to learn new skills and, as I had a passion for cars and motorbikes, I began looking into motor vehicle courses at local colleges. The PDA in Motor Vehicle Systems at Kilmarnock College sounded ideal and I enrolled in August 2007.

"Not only was I apprehensive about the prospect of being one of only a few females on the course, I was also nervous about being a mature student returning to education. I remember my first day so well, my heart was in my throat, but after I made it through the doors I was pleasantly surprised to find other mature students and a number of fellow female students in my class. I've loved my time at college. The lecturers have been fantastic and I've learned so many new skills. I've even managed to service my van and bike, and re-vamp two old bikes."

One student, who has recently gained employment in the Motor Vehicle sector as a result of her time at Kilmarnock College, is Ellis Reid (18) from Dundonald. Ellis started work at Kilmarnock based car garage, Alistair Fleming, in April 2010 after successfully completing her PDA in Motor Vehicle Engineering.

Ellis said: "I was always interested in cars and, from a young age, I often helped my dad fix his own cars up. After I left school I was keen to pursue this interest and enrolled at Kilmarnock College in August 2009. I really enjoyed my time at college and my lecturers were excellent in helping me find employment."

Ross Kerr, Motor Vehicle Curriculum Manager at Kilmarnock College said: "The motor vehicle industry has traditionally been dominated by men, but our students are proof that more and more women are challenging the status quo and pursuing their interest in mechanics. We are delighted with the rise of female students on motor vehicle courses and hope this continues as we begin the 2010-11 academic term in August."

For further information on motor vehicle courses or any other courses available at Kilmarnock College, please contact 01563 523501 or visit www.kilmarnock.ac.uk.

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For more information, contact:
Denise Clark, Halogen Communications, (T) 0131 202 0120 (F) 0131 225 3757 (E) denise@halogencom.com.

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