Getting off to a Roaring Start

Maree Montgomery has grown up around the roar of hot rods, so a panelbeating apprenticeship seemed like a natural step for her. Her father, now a "muscle car" fan, used to race drag cars when he was little, and her mother used to race go-karts, Maree says. So when Maree started getting into trouble at school, a car-related job seemed like a better choice. "Do something you like, otherwise you'll just find it boring," is Maree's advice. 

 

The 16-year-old who admits she hates schoolwork and "doing stuff that's sitting down" was already building her own drag car with the help of her father. "I've been driving since my feet could touch the pedals. But I'm more into my motorbikes now," she says. Maree could have a future in motocross. Suzuki New Zealand is considering sponsoring her motocross racing, she says. 

 

Meanwhile Maree finds her panelbeating apprenticeship hard but fun. "It just started as an after-school job as I was more into trying to learn how to be an engineer, so I could fix my  own cars. But then I thought panelbeating my own cars and painting them would be better, and my dad could show me the engineering side of things. I like fixing them up. We get some nice cars in here!"

 

 Maree is only one month into her apprenticeship, but has been working at Edwards Panel and Paint in Lyall Bay, Wellington, for eight months. Lifting things is the hard part of the job, but the boys in the workshop help. Maree says the work is worth it. "It's good seeing things finished. That's what I like."

 

 The apprenticeship will take her two and a half to three years. In the end she hopes to move up to doing more hot-rods. At the moment Maree isn't interested in doing a qualification in automotive engineering, since she learns enough to fix her own cars from her dad.

 

Maree spends maybe two and a half hours a week on the writing part of the apprenticeship, which she doesn't enjoy. "I'd rather read about it and do it instead of writing the answer down."

 

But it's easier than sitting in school every day, although she envies her mates at school holiday time. She isn't alone, however. Several of her friends are doing apprenticeships in things like engineering. "All my friends are guys anyway."

 

Maree earns $9 an hour, but like other apprentices her salary is reviewed as she learns more. Another apprentice in the workshop is earning $12 an hour after fifteen months. Maree had some tools from her dad, and the workshop provides the rest. Once fully qualified, Maree expects to earn between $20 and $23 an hour.