This is a rare and welcome sight. Not just one female MOT Tester but three at Deptford’s FOXY Lady Approved MOT centre, The Test Centre.
Now, most motorists know that our cars need an MOT after their third birthday.
This is a rigorous check of a vehicle’s safety on the day requiring an extensive list of checks to be carried out, without interruption, by a professionally qualified MOT tester.
Cars fail for all sorts of reasons but the main ones are usually to do with critical road safety areas such as tyres, brakes and lights.
As far as we are concerned, MOT Testers are among the most important people in any garage. They decide which cars are and aren’t safe enough to return to our roads and they warn us about work that’s likely needed on the horizon (called ‘Advisories’). And they put their careers on the line were they to get any of this wrong.
But, of the 50,000 MOT testers, as few as 300 are female.
And three of them work for The Test Centre in Deptford including their latest recruit, a mother of two, Emma Wills photographed above.
“At The Test Centre we celebrate and welcome female testers and I’m very proud that my two daughters are both MOT testers at the family business”
says Ian Wills, owner of The Test Centre.
Emma completed her MOT tester training recently at The Test Centre Training in Dartford which specialises in MOT training courses. She did exceptionally well and received no minors (faults/criticisms) in her MOT demonstration test.
When we asked her about her job and if she could recommend this as a career for women she told us…
“This is a perfect job for mechanically-minded mums like me because it not only plays to my meticulous attention to detail strengths but I can also schedule MOT tests in between school hours. Needless to say, I’m very lucky that The Test Centre is such a flexible employer and that I am one of three female MOT testers so there are no gender concerns here.”
We think the low number of female MOT Testers is because you need experience and qualifications in Light Vehicle Maintenance. Few females study for this as yet or know enough about this as a well paid career option. But we’d love to see more women doing this then they can be accredited as Level 3 Light Vehicle Inspection and become MOT testers.
About The Test Centre in Deptford
As you might expect, The Test Centre in Deptford is a FOXY Lady Approved ie female friendly garage. We particularly like their commitment to provide unbiased MOT testing with their no pass, no fee structure.
Here is what customer Amy said about The Test Centre recently.
“I was really impressed. It was my first time so didn’t know what to expect. Being a young woman can be quite intimating in some garages, but the Test Centre was great, good service and friendly helpful staff. The receptionist was very welcoming and the waiting area was clean and warm. I shall definitely be going back for my next MOT.”
Here is what another lady (who withheld her name from publication) said…
“This was the first time I’ve taken my car for MOT so I was really nervous & didn’t know what to expect. I was shocked that I could get a booking for 6am this was the first thing I thought was amazing about the garage.
“When I got there I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the work space looked, practically warm & brand new looking – this helped ease my nerves a little. I went into the reception which was really warm & cosy, the receptionist (a really lovely lady with a smile on her face so early in the morning) was amazing, straight away she had someone take my keys.
“I explained my nervousness but once she took the time to explain the process to me, my nerves disappeared straight away. I waited for my car in a warm office with a TV & friendly receptionist to talk to. Once the MOT was completed the service did not stop there, the receptionist was very good & friendly in suggesting more places & female friendly garages I can use if I ever need work doing.
“I normally send my brother with my car as I am always worried garages with men treat women like they’re stupid. I’m very happy with The Test Centre’s service & warm & friendliness so I’ve already suggested them to many friends & family.”
______________________________________
How To Become an MOT Tester
For more information about becoming an MOT Tester you can EITHER
+ contact The Test Centre Training
+ call them on 0208 692 5555
+ follow them on Twitter @TesterTraining
