Each week for Wrenching Women Wednesday, we focus our efforts on shining a light on Women in Automotive and their journey’s in automotive. This week, we would like to introduce Colleen Kenman, Light Duty Vehicle Technician & Mobile Plant Mechanic in Queensland, Australia. Some of Colleen’s accomplishments include:
- 2 Trade Certificates through TAFE
- 1st Woman in Australia to become certified as a Holden Gold Technician
- 4th Woman in Australia to become a Volkswagen MasterTech
This is Colleen’s story
My dad and my brother were always fixing motorbikes and cars as I was growing up, and who doesn’t want to be just like their older, better-looking brother? I walked into a Holden dealership two months after I finished school to look for a job, and they said, “Cool. You have an apprenticeship, you start Monday.”
I really just fell into being a mechanic. Turns out- I love it. My favorite part is that I’m a diagnostic technician. Anything with electrical issues comes my way. I really enjoy figuring out the stuff that other people can’t!
For all the young women thinking about pursuing a career in the automotive industry, this is the advice I have for you: have thick skin and be prepared to work HARD.
-Colleen Kenman
About Katie French
Katie French, founder of Wrenching Women Wednesday, is an Automotive Repair Expert at RepairPal. Her love for the automotive industry began at a young age learning how to fix bicycles and driving around the neighborhood in a pink Power Wheels Jeep. To pursue a career in the field, Katie attended NEIT for Advanced Automotive Technology out in East Greenwich, RI. Since graduating from the automotive program, Katie has worn many hats in the auto industry over the years, and has treated every day as a school day. She currently is working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Management with a concentration in Fleet Management from Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO. In her free time, Katie enjoys empowering women in skilled trades, Jeep builds, and spending time with her family.
