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Automotive Careers has Girl Appeal

June 11, 2014
Focused on careers in the auto industry, from left, Rayne Hungahunga, Bianca McQuinlan and Nicole Whitehead.

Focused on careers in the auto industry,
from left, Rayne Hungahunga, Bianca
McQuinlan and Nicole Whitehead.

Getting ahead in the male dominated automotive industry is more about drive than gender, according to three young women studying at EIT.

Some months into year one of the National Certificate in Motor Industry (Automotive Electrical and Mechanical Engineering), the trio of Youth Guarantee students all hope to pick up apprenticeships when they complete their 34-week course.

Rayne Hungahunga had an apprenticeship lined up when she had an accident last year. She is still learning to walk properly but is determined to pursue her passion for motors.

The 19-year-old from Hastings always thought it was “pretty cool” that a friend’s mother was the only female diesel mechanic in Hawke’s Bay.

Rayne worked on cars while on a Gateway programme at school and became totally focused on an automotive career after having the opportunity to work on a 1969 Shelby
Cobra Mustang. She thinks it helps that girls can multi-task and that their nimble fingers are well suited to probing an engine’s nooks and crannies.

“My goal is to open my own workshop and employ only females to prove they can be just as good,” she says.

Midway through last year’s course, Bianca McQuinlan discovered she was six months pregnant. She continued her studies until August and before taking time out to have her
daughter, Shiloh Ruby, she arranged with the head of school to return to her studies.

“I’m even more motivated to succeed,” she says. “It’s no longer just for me.”

Also 19 and from Hastings, Bianca says it’s a full-on lifestyle, rising early to ready Shiloh for childcare and get herself to EIT – “it’s adventurous and challenging at the same
time”.

She’s loving being back into her studies.

“The course is built so you get as much out of it as you put in and EIT’s workshop facilities are great. Even the garages don’t have some of the equipment so it’s pretty up there. The
tutors are very knowledgeable and they put in the effort, going out of their way to help you.”

Her goal is to work as an auto-electrician and to eventually join the police force where she sees herself working in highway patrol or the serious crash unit.

Nicole Whitehead has always had a passion for learning and thought knowing about cars would be “cool”.

Although just one of three girls in a class of 17, the 18-year-old from Napier says she scarcely notices the gender imbalance.