Jessie - Refinish Technician

This is Jessie Purton. She is 26 and from Tasmania.

Jess is a Qualified Refinish Technician (spray painting vehicle’s) and has been in the industry for 6 years. 

I sat down with Jessie for this blog, and asked her some questions about her career. This is what Jessie had to say.

So Jessie, when did you decide that this is the career path that you wanted to take?

For a very long time I’ve always dreamt of becoming an artist and I was always passionate about cars/vehicles from a young age. One day I saw a tafe course for a Cert lI in automotive vehicle body, so I leapt at the opportunity and got accepted into the course. From seeing the airbrush work and what they did in this course it highly interested me, I wanted more and I knew this is it.  

Was it easy for you to take this career path?

Unfortunately, this career path wasn’t easy as I didn’t have my license. I was an 18 year old girl, with minimal experience and I struggled to find anyone willing to teach me. I live in Tasmania and job opportunities are limited, so I contacted every workshop I could find on the north coast of TAS. I managed to get work experience at multiple places but with no pay. When it came to discussing a potential apprenticeship, I was always dismissed. I was ready to give up on this dream, but then something happened that gave me a little hope. My fathers friend lives in Hobart and he offered me a place to stay, as there were more opportunities there. I reached out to a lot of people in Hobart but only one place ever responded to me. I sat in the boss’ office for over an hour telling him that this was my passion, and from there I worked hard and finally got an apprenticeship.

That's an amazing journey you took to follow your dreams Jessie.

You mentioned you became interested in this career when you saw an available tafe course. Was that something that was suggested to you at school or made available to you? Or was this something you had to find alone?

I found this career path on my own,with hardly any support from the people surrounding me. It definitely wasn't something that was suggested to me at school, especially being a female. If I hadn't spent hours doing research to find something I was passionate about, I probably never would have known that this was a career I could take. In saying that though my mum has been amazing in all this and without my dad and his mate I wouldn’t have this career. For that I will be forever grateful. 

Was it easy to find someone that was willing to take you on as an apprentice?

No, unfortunately it was extremely hard. There was only one workshop in Tasmania that was willing to put me on, and I'm pretty sure I contacted them all. 

That seems to be the case with a lot of women unfortunately, but I'm glad you never stopped looking. Jessie, what has it been like working in a male dominated industry?

What is it like working in a male dominated industry? Let's just say it hasn’t exactly been easy. They test you both physically and mentally. I find a lot of people don't believe this is a job for females, but I just use this to drive myself to be the best I can be, and to show everyone that women can do this too. In saying this though it has been well worth it because it’s made me the person I am today and you learn so much! I truly believe things are starting to change and the more we share our stories the easier it will become.

We love that you used that negative energy to drive yourself to be better. It takes a strong person to do that. It sounds like you have had to push through a lot to follow your dream.

What would you say is the biggest obstacle that you had to overcome to get to where you are? 

I wasn't going to let anything take my dream away from me, so I focused on myself and used whatever I could to drive me to be a better tradie. It definitely hasn't been an easy journey, but the biggest obstacle for me was having to move four hours away from home at the age of 19 - with no family or friends - to chase a dream I wanted, and get my foot in the door. I was so driven to make it happen.

That must have been really tough, we are glad it all worked out. So Jessie, what would you say your biggest achievement has been in your career so far? 

My biggest achievement in life was winning the PPG Industries International Colour Competition as a third year apprentice. Attending this competition wasn't easy for me but I did everything I possibly could to make it into the comp. I was so driven to attend this competition and finally show people why I deserve to be in this career. ‘No’ wasn’t an option for me. I was fortunate enough that my boss at my workshop saw my passion and drive and helped me be able to attend this competition. Something I'll be grateful for forever. 

That is an incredible achievement, congratulations!!

In your experience as a tradie, do you think you get treated/rewarded as equally as your male colleagues? 

I definitely do not get treated as equal to men in the trade. I'm constantly feeling as if there are double standards. I feel like there are things that it’s ok for them to say and do but if I did it, it would be frowned upon. I feel invisible at work sometimes and when I do raise concerns it’s brushed off, or seen as dramatic/needy. I believe this can change though, through sharing our stories far and wide.

We totally agree with you there Jessie, the wider we reach with our stories the easier it will become for those following in our footsteps. That's our drive here at Ladies in Trades. 

Lastly Jessie,  what do you wish was more readily available to you as a woman in trades? And what would you wish was readily available for you in your schooling experience?

What I really wish was more readily available was workwear designed for females. Some brands are starting to make workmen’s workwear but the options and sizing are so limited, it’s hard to find something comfortable. I wish I had more options. In High School they didn’t exactly give students including myself the opportunity or support to  become a tradie, hands on subjects seemed to be just a subject for those to just get through whether we passed or not. I really enjoyed art and the hands-on work but I wish it was made more to suit students. I believe if i was given the opportunity and it was normalised to do hands on subjects at high school I would have had a much more enjoyable experience

Thanks so much Jessie for sharing all of that with us. You truly are an inspiration to all women in trades and those inspiring to be. You connect with all our values here at Ladies in Trades. We can't wait to work alongside you. 

Follow Jessie on Instragram @ jessi_the_painter