24 year old Kelsey Barnes didn’t let being a woman in the Motor Industry or completing her course during the pandemic stop her! She has excelled in her studies and achieved her IMI Level 2 Vehicle Spray Painting Principles.
Learning her trade at WCS Greenock’s Finnart Street campus Kelsey said,
“Doing the course during the coronavirus pandemic wasn't easy due to the restrictions and being able to spend less time actually in the College doing practical work however I have had a passion for cars since a really young age and the course was an amazing learning experience.”
She continued, “I've always wanted to be around cars daily and enjoy modifying my own and my friends cars so when the pandemic struck I decided to take the leap and apply for the Spray Painting course at WCS.”
Having previously worked in the Catering industry since the age of 16, Kelsey was used to being surrounded by mainly female co-workers so she was apprehensive about taking the leap in the Motor Industry. However, her lecturer Mick assured her that the industry is evolving and more women are pursuing careers and excelling in the trade.
Speaking of the course she said,
“I loved learning how to repair and prepare vehicles properly through practical work such as sanding panels, masking vehicles, mixing primer and spraying the panels. There is a lot of information to take in as well and Mick done a great job at teaching both theory and practical.”
Having secured a job at Bridgend as a Trainee Spray Painter, Kelsey has just completed her first week in the role and feels a lot of the skills she has learned whilst in the College environment have prepared her for the world of work; “ The course has helped me to get a stepping stone into the work environment and everyone from Mick to my new colleagues I'm working with are helping me to adapt and learn in the Vehicle Repair environment.”
“I know I've made the right decision and I'm so excited to be involved in this industry. Turning my passion into a career has made me enjoy going to work and I know I'll thrive in this environment and learn lots of new skills.”
If you would like to turn your passion into purpose like Kelsey, check out our range of Motor Vehicle courses: