Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 days ago
Celia Brooking enrolled in the Level 3 Certificate in Automotive Engineering at EIT last year and is now doing her apprenticeship for the Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering.
Growing up around cars has led a young Tairāwhiti woman to study automotive engineering at EIT, with the hope of breaking into the still male-dominated industry.
Celia Brooking (Ngāti Porou) grew up in Tairāwhiti,went to Gisborne Girls’ High School and last year she enrolled in the Level 3 Certificate in Automotive Engineering at EIT.
A love of cars and tinkering under the hood led Celia to follow her dream and study at the Tairāwhiti Campus from last July until April this year. She has not looked back and is now doing her apprenticeship for the Level 4 Certificate in Automotive Engineering.
“It was really cool. Much more so than I expected. I got to learn every aspect of a car and how everything works and how to service the car.”
“My tutors in Level 3 were excellent and I still associate with them today.”
Celia, 18, says that while it can still be tough being a female in a male-dominated industry, “everyone’s been pretty accepting and pretty nice, especially where I’m working right now”.
Where she is working now is Overnight Service Centre in Gisborne, where she is doing her apprenticeship and gets to service vehicles and help out with other work as well.
As for the future, Celia has some options. One is to head over to Australia to continue her career and be closer to some of her family. She sees it as a “fresh start”.
However, another alternative is to continue her studies at EIT. With her industry changing at pace, Celia is interested in learning more about servicing electric vehicles. She is considering enrolling in the NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5) when she finishes her current programme.
As for her advice to other women wanting to enter the automotive engineering industry, Celia says “if you want to get into it, just do it”.
Tim Jagusch, Assistant Head of the School of Trades and Technology said: “The two most important attributes our industries are looking for are time management and work ethic. Celia possesses these attributes – along with a good attitude. “
“All this contribute to her success and she is an exemplar student.”
