Female technician claims sexism is preventing her from getting a job

Woman expects to finish her diploma on March and is keen to find a job but says it's hard when you're a woman

Female technician claims sexism is preventing her from getting a job
Marie Buchan claims she is finding it hard to find the right job because of sexism in the industry. Image: Bigstock.

Marie Buchan of Selly Oak in Birmingham is unable to land her dream job as a vehicle technician because men keep “trying it on” with her, she has claimed.

Speaking to the Daily Star, the 37-year-old said some men in garages are “dirty big perverts”.

She added: “They’ll say things like, ‘What do you do when the kids aren’t around, would you fancy going for a drink, would there be anything else you’d like to do in the garage other than work on cars?”

“You’ve got women in the police force, in the army, we have the skills, it’s just that men see us as sex symbols.”

Ms Buchan says she wants to see a stop to sexism in the industry.

The mother-of-eight, who is currently on benefits, previously worked as a carer to help soften the blow to her yearly benefits by £6,000 and hopes to get a job in March when she completes her course.

Do you have concerns about sexism in the industry? Share your comments below.

Caroline LakeRelated: Is it just me or is our trade suffering from a serious skills shortage?

8 Comments

  1. Male or female, if the abilities are there it makes no difference to me. There’s a shortage of good techs.

    However, ‘banter’ is rife in the workshops, you’ll never stop it. Anybody, male or female, is open to it. Be a mechanic, live with the banter. If you’re going to be prude then you’ll never get on.

    Reply
  2. Male or female, if the abilities are there it makes no difference to me. There’s a shortage of good techs.

    However, ‘banter’ is rife in the workshops, you’ll never stop it. Anybody, male or female, is open to it. Be a mechanic, live with the banter. If you’re going to be prude then you’ll never get on.

    Reply
  3. Our industry needs to grow up and allow people from all walks of life to work in it without the bullying and verbal abuse some of the so called banter is. We work with male and female, black and white, able and disable technicians. Going to work should be fun and enjoyable, whilst remembering that it is a place of work, not a play ground. No you will not stop it but it needs to be respectful. If you lived closer I would offer you a job.

    Reply
  4. Our industry needs to grow up and allow people from all walks of life to work in it without the bullying and verbal abuse some of the so called banter is. We work with male and female, black and white, able and disable technicians. Going to work should be fun and enjoyable, whilst remembering that it is a place of work, not a play ground. No you will not stop it but it needs to be respectful. If you lived closer I would offer you a job.

    Reply
  5. I have worked up from apprentice to reception technician. As much as we have ‘banter’ I have never been made to feel as not part of the team or a ‘sex object’. I give as good as I get. Sadly you will get that sort of thing no matter where you go, whether it is in the motor industry or office work. Doesn’t mean the whole industry is the same. Find another workshop.

    Reply
  6. I have worked up from apprentice to reception technician. As much as we have ‘banter’ I have never been made to feel as not part of the team or a ‘sex object’. I give as good as I get. Sadly you will get that sort of thing no matter where you go, whether it is in the motor industry or office work. Doesn’t mean the whole industry is the same. Find another workshop.

    Reply
  7. I currently employee a 19 year old Female. She has struggled until now to find employment within the field.

    Reply
  8. I currently employee a 19 year old Female. She has struggled until now to find employment within the field.

    Reply

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