Bike-Minded

Tony Jury of Pahiatua's Tony Jury Motorcycles says the main thing an employer should look for in an apprentice is their desire, determination and application to prove themselves. 

 

"I'm sure there'd be a lot of people that'd blindly say 'no' and wipe out 50 percent of applicants because they're female, but I think generally that's not so widespread now as it would have been 20 years ago," Tony says. When Samantha Rufus turned up seeking the advertised position of a Motorcycle Technician apprenticeship, Tony recognised a fellow motorcycle enthusiast. "She wanted to become a qualified motorcycle mechanic. I could actually empathise with that, so I decided to give her an opportunity," he says. 

 

Although he'd always felt the workshop was a man's domain "what with all the lifting and swearing and cursing", he saw that Samantha was strongly motivated towards her goal. The workshop environment hasn't been a problem, he says."She fits in pretty well. She likes to be treated like one of the boys, so that's exactly what happens. If I need something done I put my blinkers on as to whether she's male or female and just ask for the job to be done, and I expect it to be done."

 

Asked whether the heavy lifting of engines and engine parts is a challenge for her, he says there's always somebody around to help. "She's got no problem; she's just got to ask. But she probably wrestles away by herself. I just tell her to eat more Weetbix."

 

What she lacks in physical strength, she makes up for in other areas. "Well she's very thorough, especially the paperwork side of it - and some of the boys aren't.

 

"I'd say she's probably been excelling through some areas of the apprenticeship system."

 

 Tony has been in the industry for 29 years and owned Tony Jury Motorcycles for 16 years. The business employs 15 people including four apprentices, and provides sales and service for bikes, farmbikes, small power equipment, mowers, ride-on mowers, chainsaws and trimmers. 

 

It is an important service for a rural town like Pahiatua. Tony says a fully qualified mechanic can earn $20 an hour, which is pretty good considering the lower costs of living, and relaxed lifestyle. "In Auckland or Wellington they'd probably be earning more."