Sabrina on the tools

Cavanwoman, studying to be a mechanic, blazing a trail for young women in male dominated work environments

A Cavan woman is leading the way for women pursuing work in male dominated roles.

Sabrina Coventry from Raghallaigh Park, Cavan, is the only girl in her Motor Mechanical course in Dundalk Institute of Technology.

“I was told mechanics weren't for women,” she revealed.

This statement stuck in Sabrina’s mind over the years, causing her to put her dream on hold. However, as she became more confident, she finally decided to take her first step into the field, despite the stereotypes.

“It was always still in the back of my head and, eventually, I just did the pre mechanics course there in Cavan Institute and then I ended up just falling in love with it and just going from there.

“I love it. It’s great to be able to learn a different way of doing stuff. It’s kind of like a big puzzle.”

When Sabrina finished her course in Cavan, she decided to apply for an apprenticeship in DKIT. Upon acceptance, she was not surprised to find she was the only female in her year.

“There is another lassie, she’s in phase four, I’m in phase six but I’ve never had a lassie doing the course with me.”

She was equally surprised to find how accepting the boys in her course were of her.

“The lads are always 100 percent, they'll always back you up. I’ve never felt like nobody wanted me there.

“They will take the piss, but I’ll take the piss back just as quick,” she laughs.

Not only are all her classmates male, but the same can be said about her lecturers, as well as her co-workers.

Sabrina had no problem in finding a job for the duration of her course.

“I had an interview pretty quickly with BestDrive in Cavan and they took me on fairly quickly. I didn’t struggle to find work at all.”

Customers are sometimes surprised when they see the female mechanic on arrival, however she has noticed that other females have taken to her quite well.

“A lot of the time, people would come in and they’d say - is there a mechanic here - not realising that I am. But when it comes to women, women are delighted to see there’s a female mechanic here, I’ll talk to her. Once they realise I am a mechanic, they do feel a lot more comfortable.”

Sabrina has found that some men are sceptical about a woman tending to their car. However she is grateful this is a rare occurrence. “Not 100 percent of the time but most of the time,” her customers are respectful, she finds.

When asked if many people question her choice of job, Sabrina says: “I get it all the time, but I just love it. No day is ever the same, no day is ever boring, it’s just a great job.”

Thinking back to a time when she was afraid to follow her dream, Sabrina smiles, “I think I was just being silly and naive, but holding back a little bit longer probably gave me a little more confidence because I am that bit older. I know to tell somebody to shut up.

“I do think there should be more women in it. Women are that bit more careful and they’re more observant. It’s becoming a bit more common but it’s still not as common as we’d like to see.”

Sabrina is now using her experience to encourage other women in her position to pursue their passion, regardless of the opinions of others.

“I’d say just go for it. There’s nothing to fear. There’s nothing really to hold you back. Just go for it.”