The twenty first century has seen a rise of young women, who are breaking the traditional gender role created by social norms in our society. Recently, there have been hard-working women whose actions and choices of job are changing perspectives on the types of jobs women should do. These bold frontline young women are not only actualizing the popular aphorism that what men can do, women do better, they are setting the tone for bridging the dichotomy between male-designated jobs and women aspirations.
Generator technicians in our society are mostly male because people feel only men have the physical stamina and mental acumen to repair generators. However, two young female graduates have changed the norm by venturing into its apprenticeship and earnestly learning the technical skill.
Joy Okhale is a graduate of History and International Relations from the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State. She is currently waiting for her call-up letter from the National Youth Service Corpse, (NYSC), for the compulsory one year National Service. he chose to utilise her time while waiting for the mandatory service by learning a skill. Joy did not go for the usual ladies kind of apprenticeship but opted for something more masculine. The delectable fair-skinned girl went for a skill she has always admired since her teenage years- fixing machines. “I have always love engineering job since I was a teenager but I couldn’t study engineering because I was in art class. But recently I realised I could learn to repair generators”, Joy explained.
Since she picked up the skill during the lockdown caused by the corona virus epidemic, Joy has enjoyed the job of fixing generators in the neighbourhood. She is enjoying every bit of the moment spent dismantling and coupling generator parts, though, there were frustrating moments. “Sometimes, I get fed up but I have to keep doing it because it’s something I have always longed to do.”
For other young girls who have a dream of picking up similar skill, Joy encourage them to never give up but take the bold step. She admitted that people mocked her when she newly started but she kept her head up and continue with the training. She signed for six months which she believes will elapsed by the time of her call-up for national service. Her plans include honing her skill during the service year and starting her own shop after passing out of the NYSC scheme. Joy Okhale is looking forward to start running her own shop after perfecting her technical skill in fixing generators. She has made up her mind to settle for self-employment and not go through the ordeal of searching for jobs like other graduates in the country.
Right in the same generator shop is another graduate of Education Counselling from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, ObovworueUfomeroghene Beauty. The light-skinned who completed her national youth service 2018 in Bayelsa didn’t plan to be a generator technician. After searching for jobs for couple of years, she ended up teaching in primary school where she earns 17 thousand a month. While hoping for a better job in vein, her sister’s husband invited her to join him in the shop, an idea she considered ridiculous.
“When my sister’s husband asked me to join him in the workshop, I wasn’t interested. I started considering the idea after I followed him to do some repairs at some residents, I was glad when I learnt that another female will resume apprenticeship at the shop. That was how I signed for six months.” Beauty recounted.
Beauty Ufomeroghene has since found the job interesting, in the few weeks she started she has learned to service small generators and could be sent by her boss to repair for some customers. Beauty who loved male-related jobs, is looking forward to acquire more skills in the field. She intends to continue her apprenticeship of Marine Technician in Delta State, after completing this first course. Her plan is to quit the teaching job as soon as she gains enough proficiency by end of the training. “I would love to establish my own workshop after completing my training here. When the lockdown is over and school resumes I plan to drop the after-school lessons so that I can concentrate on developing my technical skills after closing from school.
“I realised that it pays more when you work for yourself. As you can see, most corporate firms are taking advantage of the unemployment situation to exploit graduates. You will leave home 6am to return at night, only to be paid 40 thousand a month. They won’t add value any value other than overworked you for a meagre pay,” she lamented.
Beauty plan on setting up her workshop to also employ other jobless youths. She hope to also teach interested young girls for free. Recounting her personal experience when she worked as a maid for three years before gaining admission to the university, Beauty urge young girls to learn a craft or skill before going to the university. “I have seen many girls on campus who used their acquired skills to fend for themselves. Some of them have parents others don’t have, but they all survive from their skills and remain comfortable on campus.” Owner of the workshop, Moses John who repairs generators at Quality Street, Bamgbelu, behind Lucky Fibre, Ikorodu, said the girls have been paying attention to the job. According to Moses, the girls are taking the job seriously, and he gives them time off during weekends