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THE moment the mechanical world or garages are mentioned in a work context, the phrase male-dominated is going to be in the next breath.

But while that is changing fast, it’s not changing quickly enough for the automotive engineering department at Dundee and Angus College.

All year round it is training scores of young people to give them a foothold in the petrol-head world — and young women are really starting to make their mark.

“They seem to pay more attention to detail and have more of an inquisitive nature when faced with a mechanical problem,” said Steve Swinley, course leader in engineering and automotive technology.

“We currently have three women on full-time courses and the Apprentice of the Year a couple of years ago was female.

“So things are changing — and not before time.”

Steve, who is Dundee-born and bred, has a long track-record in the automotive world and said attitudes are changing in the industry.

“There are still some garages where the staff remain very traditional old school and it’s very much a ‘boys club’.

“However, in the main companies are looking for quality personnel and gender isn’t an issue.

“We have taster sessions at the college where we bring in fourth-year pupils, both male and female.

“We can see a change happening at school level whereby we are getting a lot of females coming along to try vehicle engineering.

“The female students often seem more attentive and they have a mechanical aptitude. They are interested in finding out about how vehicles work — transmission and firing orders, that sort of thing.

“Our courses foster that interest and we can help get students work experience and prepare them for apprenticeships.

“It’s quite possible that female motorists might feel more at ease dealing with a female mechanic — that’s another aspect.

“I honestly think we’ll have female instructors at the college before too long.

“We want to influence and change the wider gender imbalance in the industry.

“I firmly believe and would always advocate that women can provide a varied range of skills that contributes to the success of any garage or company

“After all, talent and success are not gender-based.”

Steve Swi@ley, the Course leAder i@ e@gi@eeri@g A@d Autoaotive teCh@ology.