A bold step into a traditional male-dominated field is reaping rewards for a female electrical apprentice.

Just don’t ask Jennifer Devine if that somehow makes her unique. She’s too busy learning and doing her job.

“I don't really think about the gender aspect,” said Devine, a graduate of the Pre-Apprentice Millwright Program at St. Clair College via WEST (Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.) who started with Ford in 2019.

“I genuinely enjoy working in my trade. There’s so much variety: using lifts, planning and troubleshooting - and the people are great!”

Officially part of the 309A Electrician (Construction & Maintenance) Apprenticeship program., Devine has clocked more than 6000 of the 9000 hours required since her hire. She is currently working at the Windsor Engine Annex.

Previously having worked at another company as a CNC Machinist for three years where her priority was to keep two-to-three machines moving, Devine said her colleagues and family have helped with her adjustment to her new life at Ford.

“Most of my coworkers are about my father’s age (60). Their kids are roughly my age. I feel like they look out for me. Some remarkable journeymen have shown interest in us apprentices and provided reading material or practice test questions. It's bittersweet, they are retiring and taking so much knowledge with them. We have big shoes to fill!” she said.

“My family is excited for me and supportive. My older kids are much more interested in what I’m doing here at Ford. They ask what I did at work today and I explain, “Oh, today I drilled some holes and tapped them.” And they ask what that means. So, I explain, ‘First you drill the hole, then, tapping is basically like a mascara brush with very sharp edges that I twist inside to make the spiral so the screw can fit in.’ And my 14-year-old daughter goes, ‘Ohhh!’ You can just see the lights turn on.

“It’s been a great experience being here at Ford.”

Devine said she would recommend the WEST program to any interested females.

“I had heard about a ‘women in trades’ program – it was going to be completely free: free tuition, textbooks etc. – and I didn’t really believe it initially!” she said.

“So, I checked it out, I applied for it and did some orientation. From there, they were going to be picking 25 people for the five-month, intensive program at St. Clair College. They had about 273 people interested in the program. Through the process of just showing interest, taking an exam and an interview, I was one of the lucky 25 going through, sponsored by WEST (Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor).

She would also encourage any women interested in the trades to pursue that passion.

“My advice to other females or anyone looking to get into the trades is: go for it. Your coworkers will be great, the work is enjoyable and the money is fantastic. I'm a single Mom with three kids at home (7, 15, 17). My oldest is 19 and on his own.

“I've been approached by some older women saying they wanted to get into the trades and regret not having done so. Some are younger and say they're inspired because seeing me navigate a boom has made them feel that we women can do it too. Gender is irrelevant - anyone can do this. We're all trainable. You will only regret what you haven't done.”