Brought up around all things mechanical in dad Glenn’s Balclutha tyre outfit, it was perhaps no surprise when the 22-year-old former A&P show queen contender decided a career in engineering was for her.
Like everything in life, both her show queen run and chosen career path in what remained the male-dominated profession of welding were simply a matter of ‘‘getting out there and doing it’’, Miss Davidson said.
‘‘Me and my sisters all used to help dad out at his workshop, either in the office when we were younger, or in the workshop once we were a bit bigger.
‘‘So we grew up around bikes, cars and engines, and it’s just always something that’s interested me.
‘‘But I don’t think it shows much at the weekend — people are often a bit surprised when I tell them what I do.’’
‘‘Sometimes there’s a bit of stick from the boys. But when they see you’re just as good, or better, most people are fine. It’s like any job — it’s about the people.’’
She said she was ‘‘living the dream’’, having secured a contract at her most recent training company, WAE Balclutha.
‘‘WAE and [boss] Wayde [Marshall] are fantastic. I worked with Wayde at another firm during my apprenticeship, and he’s seen what I can do and has now taken me on here.
‘‘We have another girl works here too, so I guess it’s becoming more and more common.’’
Miss Davidson said both her dad and mum Christine were ‘‘thrilled’’ with her recent qualification.
‘‘I sometimes wonder if Mum wanted more girly girls, but as long as [my two sisters and I] are happy, she’s happy. She’s even made me little cotton welding hats to wear under my helmet, to stop me singeing my hair.
‘‘And Dad’s always been super supportive. He thinks he’s a better welder than me, but I’m not so sure about that nowadays.’’
WAE Balclutha branch manager Mr Marshall said there was no downside to bringing more women into engineering.
‘‘If anyone’s thinking of making a career in engineering, like Jess and Taelah here, just go for it.
‘‘There’s really no difference in terms of capabilities or jobs they can do here, and even some advantages.
‘‘It’s probably fair to say we see a bit more attention to detail from female staff, and a bit more care taken with things like health and safety from the outset, as incoming staff. They’re not afraid to always ask questions and improve.’’
Although her new fulltime role meant she had less free time than before, Miss Davidson still found time to relax with family and friends — albeit with an ever-present mechanical slant.
‘‘It was my youngest sister Holly’s 18th birthday recently, so I baked her a cake. She’s a Formula 1 nut, so it had a McLaren Racing theme, and a car on top.’’
