Motoring ahead at Ayrshire College

We’re running an Introduction to Motor Vehicle course from January!

We’ve asked four of our August recruits on the IMI Level 1 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair course to help give us a jump-start on promoting this course.

We asked them to sum up what it’s like to come to here and study in the motor vehicle workshop, and what motivated them to do so.

So sit back and relax as Caitlin Frew, Darlene Mitchell, John Paul Smith and Mackenzie Greenan, take you on the journey from applying to studying at Ayrshire College.

Caitlin

I’ve always had a love of finding out how stuff works and being able to fix them if they’re broken.

Ever since I was little, I’ve been around motorbikes and I’ve always loved the idea of finding out how they work.

I wasn’t really that scared about coming into a male-dominated environment because I’ve always been friends with guys more than girls my entire life.

Obviously it was still a little daunting, because I was the only girl on the course – Darlene was on the waiting list to begin with. I thought maybe none of the guys would want to talk to me and would look at me thinking I was weaker. I actually got a job beforehand so I knew what it was like to work in a garage.

When I walked in to Ayrshire College, all the guys made me feel really welcome. I’d say to any girl who might want to do this but is worried, try it anyway because it will be one of the best experiences you could do. Everyone will talk to you, make you feel welcome, and help you out.

Also the greatest thing about being a girl in a STEM course is you do have people who naturally assume you’ll be weaker, and when you prove them wrong that’s the best feeling ever!

I’d love to work with motorbikes once I’m finished here, building them up and building up cars. My wildest dream is to have my own garage. I’d love to run my own business.

Darlene

My Dad’s a mechanic so I grew up with motors in my life. I used to always help him when I was younger and developed an interest from there.

I love that we have an actual garage where we can get first-hand experience of the things we’re learning in the classroom – instead of learning it and having to try it at home without someone there to help you.

When I applied I found out that Ayrshire College always puts two girls into one class if they can, which did give me a little bit of comfort knowing someone else was going to be in the same position as me. We’re happy to play a part in breaking the stereotype.

But honestly, you don’t get treated as if you’re anyone different. So I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to come because of that.

I’m looking forward to doing the full three years here at the College. My ideal job would be to become a BMW specialist, but whether that happens or not is a different story.

John Paul

I was always interested in cars and motorbikes, and liked playing with engines when I was younger.

Growing up I had motorbikes, and I’ve had a few cars. I enjoy being around them and getting my hands dirty.

The facilities we have here are second to none. The equipment and tools are all brand new from when the campus opened [in October 2016]. The lecturers are great and everyone gets on really well.

I work part-time and a big part of that is working with motorbikes. I work for a charity organisation called Action for Children. We recently got £6,000 worth of funding to do our own enterprise – getting scrapped motorbikes, fixing them up and selling them on.

Mackenzie

I’ve just always been interested in cars. I’ve been helping my brother out with his car and it sparked a real interest.

The best part of the course I’m on is being in the garage, because it’s just like being in the workplace. The facilities are first class, we’re pretty much in a real garage.

The hope for me at the end of my three years here is that I’ll be able to work in a garage.