I wanted to be in a man's world to see what it was like to see if I could prove myself to see if I (pause) could do it

but (pause) do you not get funny looks or owt like that (pause) things like that people asking you silly questions

I I get a lot of criticism (pause) a lot of jokers (pause) ehm (pause) 'oh you'll not last long in here' and 'you'll not last the winter' but I I think I will it's all down to determination (pause) getting through it

so how long (pause) so how long do you think it'll be until you'll get taken on

I I don't think I'll get taken on there (pause) he's (pause) I mean there's four of we altogether which is not very (pause) which is not a lot for a company (pause) compared to yours it's eh and he's taken one of the YT people on now so I mean he wouldn't be able to manage on three full wages and if there was me to be taken on then he wouldn't manage on me neither so why (pause) when I finish my time there he he'll probably just say 'well why why do I take you on when I can just get another YT?' but I want to leave before then in anyways before my time's up because I my odds are that I'm not going to get taken on there

so do you think (pause) thirty five pound or whatever is (pause) is enough to live on

no no it's not because you spend most (pause) after you've paid your board your your pass money you've paid all the money that you owe out you're left with virtually nothing and you end up spending you end up for the next week that the money's supposed to last through borrowing off your mam or whatever so whatever you'd borrow you've got to always paid off (pause) pay it back off the next week's wages that's coming in so you're left with (pause) totally nothing at the end

well do you think it's (pause) for nothing YTS

oh well it has to be because when you leave school (pause) it's either go on a YT or nothing (pause) there's no opportunities for people you (pause) fair enough everybody's going on the YT these days but it's it's slave labour

why well thing is you get these people like joyriders and that (pause) and that (pause) and things like that on the news and they'll turn round and say 'oh why why do you joyride' and things like that and they use the excuses (pause) 'well I can't get a job' or 'I divn't want to go on YTS (pause) th there's not enough money in it' (pause) but like (pause) I never joyride or things like that (pause) I started off on YTS now I'm full time so I ca (pause) I can't understand why people say 'oh because it's YTS because th the amount of money you get' or 'I can't get a job' these people divn't expect to get a job they want someone to come knocking on their door and say 'look a there's a job' in their hand

they they don't go out and look for jobs they don't make no effort they don't go to job centres they don't go to they don't go to YT centres they don't see what opportunities they've got o open for them if you (pause) as little as there is there's they're not making no effort I mean it dep I suppose it depends on what area you're brought up in (pause) you see there's oh fair enough there's some there's some cases up here that's happening but there's there's more there's a lot more down Scotswood than there is up here and and people say it's upbringing by the parents (pause) th I don't think that at all because some parents can bring bring your kids up eh (pause) really really good and that like they can give you anything they could be waiting there for you but it depends what kind of crowd you get in with when you grow up older (pause) you get in with a bad crowd you could have lovely loving parents who'd do anything for you but as soon as you get in with these wrong people then everything changes (pause) and they're out of control

you know it's (pause) they'll say now 'YTS is this' and 'YTS is that' and you'll see them on the news saying 'well what else is there to do there's nowhere for we to go' which is fair enough there's not but if they had money in their pocket if they went out and looked for work or a bit of YTS you've got to start somewhere they're not going to offer you a job in the hand like that (pause) you've got to go out and look for it you should go on YTS I'm not saying it's great but at least is some money in your pocket and you prove yourself if you do the work you get taken on it's a simple as that

a lot a lot of people a lot of people think 'oh well I'll as soon as I'm turned this age then I'll just go on the dole' I mean fair enough for sixteen year olds (pause) sixteen to seventeen year olds it's it's I think it's sixty pound no its thirty pound a fortnight which is thirt fifteen pound a week but as soon as you've turned eighteen it doubles a lot of people think 'oh well that's all right you divn't have to do no work for it the cheque comes in the post you go to the post office' and all that they're they're not making no effort in their life and as for as long as I'm concerned well as long as they're not they're only making things worse and people are complaining and that like their mothers and that there's nothing for them to do there's no centres for them and all that and they're just knocking around street corners (pause) (unclear) it for theirselves

eh (pause) it's all right saying 'oh I'll just go on the dole' and things like that but I means the people who are working (pause) they've go to subsidize and put money from their taxes into other (interruption) people's pockets who aren't willing to work (pause) which is all wrong (interruption)

(interruption) into their pockets (interruption) in their pockets and it means I mean (pause) it's like I mean a lot of people down Scotswood are making no effort they don't care what their kids do (pause) they just let them get on with it

well it's the same as the joyriders and things like that they'll just go out and pinch people's cars and stuff like that on once again it's not even affecting them they go to court and nothing happens

they get (interruption) caught again

it it's affecting the people who are working once again because it's their cars they're pinching it's their insurance goes up there's people like me young drivers who suffer can't afford to buy a car can afford to buy a car but the insurance is going to cost more than the car it's all wrong

exactly

I (pause) I've never (pause) sat in the house and waited for people to say to we there's a job I'll go out and look for a job I start from the bottom I work myself up as soon as I try and get a car the insurance company they just say 'right (pause) there's a thousand pounds (pause) insurance for you'

exactly

and once again it's them that's doing it and it's me that's got to pay for it

they're not they're not going to stop doing it unless they do unless they do harder sentences the sentences are just a joke they're going round drugged drink driving killing people (pause) larking about loads of people in the car and they they get off with a caution or fair enough they might get off with like day releases and all that (pause) or community service or (pause) stuff like that do you know what I mean but it's not it's no harder they're just going to keep on doing it more 'oh have you seen what you get for this oh howay we'll do it the sentence is not bad' do you know what I mean it it's not going to stop until they come down harder on them and then it's not going to stop (pause) it's it's all wrong it's all wrong so what's it like being on full money

oh it's it's it's good being on full money but eh (pause) it'd be just the same as YTS you'd think (pause) 'aw just wait until I'm on full money' eh (pause) I'll gan loads and I'll be able to do this and that but it's just not the same goes from one hun (pause) one hand out to the other the more money you get the more money you've got to pay out

the more money you get the more money you spend

it's not just the sp (pause) aye it's more to it's not just that though (pause) you've got to think that (pause) the more money you're getting (pause) the more money people want off you like the tax man and stuff like that you've still (pause) you've still got more money what than you usually have (pause) but like once you've got start getting money like that you want a car so obviously (pause) you've got to (interruption) give money out to the car and then you've got to starts paying this and paying that (pause) so you really you've got something to show for it but you're like (pause) you're no better off with it (pause) eh money wise it's just like you've got something to show for it

(interruption) it's (unclear) (interruption) aye (pause) still better than being on YT money though

well well like like you've got to start somewhere

oh I know but it's it's not very much though is it I mean when you think of it twenty nine pound fifty a week (pause) do you I mean what can you do with that you've paid your board and your pass and all that it it it's virtually nothing is it

well it's eh it's eh (pause) a (unclear) thing for the government isn't it it cuts costs get people off the dole (pause) but cut costs

it's all wrong it's like ehm

well put it this way they're thinking 'why should I pay someone to go on the dole' wh what what was it

twenty nine fifty oh (interruption) for the dole ehm fifteen pounds a week

on the dole

fifteen pound a week

that's for sixteen year olds

that's (pause) thirty pound a fortnight

mm-hm

when I can pay someone say twenty nine pound fifty a a week

that's thirty that's sixty pound

aye but (pause) and like they're not claiming anything they're out doing something that's what they're thinking it's the same as the ET I think it's called Enterprise Training or something what they do is they get people out to work (pause) pay them the dole on top of their dole give them ten pounds and s (pause) they say to people 'look we are trying to get people off the dole we are trying to train people up (pause) we're even giving them money to train them up' (interruption) that's what they're saying

they do that down the eh (pause) Whitehouse Road enterprise and all

aye that's what they're saying they're trying to get the unemployment levels down that's what they're trying to say not proper jobs

just community service sort of stuff like that

no it's it's different they're just trying to train you up (pause) when I used to go to college you'd have people like in their (pause) in their late thirties and stuff like that training to be mechanics and all these blokes are thirty years old (pause) it (pause) it's too late they're doing things that first years could do

exactly

so it's it's silly

people think these days I mean fair enough if they're ehm (pause) everything goes wrong like say say we're talking older ages here (pause) they lose their job they get made redundant they've got a mortgage they've got a family they've got they've got bills to pay and all that out and they're on the dole they haven't got enough money to support their family and the the mortgage is in arrear arrears (pause) they go on to a training course and and they think well what they say is 'why sh why is a majority of younger people learning to do this the (unclear) we can not get into college because the younger majority is in it it's all wrong we've got a family and they haven't' and all this but I mean (pause) if if the only way is (unclear) to go on a YT course or go on something like that do you know what I mean then what are we going to do do you know what I mean they should go and look for a job a proper job instead of going on stupid YT courses which are only going to last two year and then at the end of it they're not going to get a guarantee that they're going to be taken on at the end of it

well it's the way (pause) that's the way the government are working at the minute it's the same as like say the the miners they're trying to cut unemployment but they lay all them miners off (pause) which was a it was a huge joke that (pause) laying all them people off and putting them on the dole (pause) and then saying we we are trying to cut the (pause) the level down on the dole (pause) every pit (pause) I think every pit that there is now is closed

there was there wasn't all that many mines in Newcastle in anyways do you know what I mean

no there was quite a few mines in Newcastle

but there's (interruption) wasn't

in the in the area

it's the same with eh (pause) them factories what do you call the factories again the one the one opposite the road plush (pause) ah power power station power stations they're knocking all them down (pause) do you remember

well they're knocking all the old power stations down (pause) they're trying to turn it into nuclear power now

aye

get rid of all the carbon dioxide and stuff like that and sulphur dioxide (pause) and they're trying to make them all cleaner and put it to nuclear but it's six and two threes really (pause) (unclear) there's probably even better ways of doing it so you (pause) maybe (pause) say it's cleaner nuclear energy but you've got to think of the waste that's coming off nuclear energy it doesn't last for years and years and years it just takes one accident and it pollutes the whole area (pause) because that con (pause) it's the

(interruption) contaminated

contamination (pause) off it

loads of eh poisonous gases and all that

well it's not so much poisonous gases but they've got (pause) got to dump it somewhere and it's going to take millions and millions of years for it to gan (pause) to lose it's (pause) eh strength

yeah like pollution

aye it is well they put it in the sea and anywhere

and people they're putting pollution in the sea and rivers and that and the people forget (pause) some company houses country houses have like ehm a water supply runs off them streams (pause) and they're getting it in their pipes and that do you know what I mean it's coming through their house (pause) if I mean (pause) the I I think a world like this I mean a lot of people see this as only a first stage do you know what I mean will like believe in after like after death and all that and if there's an another life after this I mean people say it's it should be it should have been more organized (pause) do you know what I mean I mean look at the state of the government (pause) there's MPs carrying on like (pause) like as if I mean they should be they should carry on the way their title is supposed to be do you know what I mean people have elected them to be an MP to get into parliament and act it (pause) it's a it's a joke

do you know what well if like someone says (pause) I can't remember what it was they say (pause) how can you (pause) how can you take people like this serious when they can't even run their own (pause) people like John Major he can not control his own people how the hell's he going to control the country

they're choosing the wrong (interruption) people for the wrong jobs the c I mean eh fair enough what they do in their personal life should be kept personal but if somebody with a name like an MP or a Sir or they shouldn't be carrying on the way they are I mean they've vote they've just the polls and all that they've all had votes and all that now a lot of people wouldn't vote because of this because the (pause) they've carried on so much in parliament and MPs and all that have carried so much I mean why why should we vote (interruption)

(interruption) it's right though isn't it (interruption) well someone's got to run the country

not when not when the standards are the way they are

well eh it doesn't make a difference if it stands like that anyway are the

and a lot of people (interruption) think an easy way out is to resign (pause) face the music you've you've you've done what you have your humility humility to yourself and the family you know (interruption)

(interruption) someone's got to run the country it's (interruption) ah it's supposed to be the right way to do it resign isn't it

it doesn't get rid of everything though doesn't solve all your problems resign just blocks you out

well (pause) as far as I'm concerned the next (pause) prime minister they had (pause) a bloke who like died John Smith he would have been the next prime minister as far as I'm concerned

I think if a even though I mean Margaret Thatcher done a lot of things wrong the poll tax and a (pause) a lot more things she she's done a better job than John Major because he's dropping clanger after clanger she was a hard woman (pause) but I mean you know she run the country

well she was a strong woman she (pause) but I don't agree with all her policies

she was eh (pause) I mean they elected her out I mean it took ten year she was in parliament for ten year prime minister ten year took I mean it just shows you that that she run the country well (pause) for her for them to take her take them ten year to get her out and get a new one in

ah

mm

I think eh (pause) change the subject (pause) so what now what do you want to talk about now

ehm (pause) what's it like at work what's it like working for a well known company

well it well it's (pause) big company bit better

facilities

pros prospects better facilities (pause) better working conditions (pause) probably better rates of pay actually

I mean you are you are on a quite a bit of money I mean for your age and being qualified and all that I mean at my at my work (pause) one of the kids who I work with he's a decent fitter obviously and he's a lot older well (pause) he's about four years older than you and you're on a higher rate of pay than what he is probably because you're in a well known company and and my company isn't that well known do you know what I mean it might even though it's on like a well known street it's like it's like sort of a back street garage do you know what I mean it's not as big and it's not as (pause) it's not as warm it's it hasn't got half the facilities it would have if it was working at yours it would it like had the (pause) it had the ehm (pause) everybody knew it it was well known but eh (pause) I mean it would I think it would be nice I mean fair enough this is my first placement working working in a garage but I mean from the very first time you started working on a YT you were put in a well known place you were you've had four placements and all four of them have been well known

ah but the thing is when I st (pause) when I worked with this placement I got (pause) I was dropped in at the deep end (pause) that's the only way I had to I was ready for learning I was I wasn't getting shown off people I was 'do this and do that' (pause) kind of thing (pause) so you had to do it and that's how you learn faster by doing it yourself (pause) obviously getting someone to watching what people do (pause) and then you do it

I

if you're dropped in at the deep end like that it's better (pause) instead of (pause) other people showing you all the time

I mean at the minute I'm supposed to be changing my placement at the college and the thing that really seems to annoy me is that if a boy (pause) if a man walked in into there one of the pupils from my class or whatever says 'oh would it be possible for us to change my placement' 'oh I'll have a look through here blah blah blah' and all that and he probably would find them a place but with me being a girl and walking in saying (pause) 'I'm not happy where I I'm not happy where I am would it be possible for us to be changed' I mean I've waited nearly two months now to be changed on to this placement and nobody wants to know nobody wants to know about having a girl they say it's a distraction they say (pause) I mean really it's all sexist (pause) but I mean they when they say when the company turns us down or whatever they n they can not say that because they know (pause) they know it's it can not be said do you know what I mean the ehm (pause) they say it in like a polite way saying 'oh we don't need anybody at the minute' and then probably in about two more weeks two weeks have passed they're applying for somebody else (pause) they're applying for somebody else but I mean nobody wants to know about (pause) girls being in a garage and that and I think it's all wrong because I think it should be all equal rights now I don't care what people say 'a man's world' and 'men are stronger than women' and all that (pause) I think men have got a competition on

I wouldn't I wouldn't say that was a competition

I no it's it's something to compete against

well wha what's there to compete against

be it's it's happened for so long that men have got big heads do you know what I mean

I wouldn't say that I don't know where you're getting that from

no no but it is

it's not it's because (interruption) things have been run for there since years (interruption) and years and years ago

(interruption) it's not (interruption) aye I know (pause) I mean what about what about priests they don't want women in (pause) just (interruption) because ehm

yeah but that's the church aye but that's a different story altogether isn't it

aye I know but it's on it's on the same principle just because male priests have run it so long I mean the Archbishop of (pause) whatever he (pause) he won't entertain them into it do you know what I mean he sends his ehm (pause) sends his little runners and all that (laughter) to go and see them

aye but that's been happening for years and years (interruption) and years and years

but it I know (pause) but it's about time it should be changed the thing is with football I mean there's women football players now but they're not allowed to com they're not allowed to do cups and all that now

ah but because it's done for like like it's (pause) another thing that's been done for years and years and years

i it (interruption) should be I think it should be changed

would you would (pause) but how many how many lads do you see in a hairdressers

fathers

aye appar no in a hairdressers (pause) not a barbers a hairdressers

well it's on the same principle but it's just got a different name barbers and hairdressers

but you divn't how many do you see in a hairdressers

a couple

how many how many girls do you see in a barbers

well it's for men (interruption) though isn't it

I'm not just saying cutting hair I'm actually saying

(interruption) but

getting their hair cut in a barbers (pause) (interruption) do you ge

aye

you see

I but what I'm saying is though it they're both doing the same thing it's just one's for men and one's for women

not really I've seen lads going into barb eh hairdressers

aye

aye so how many lads do you see cutting (pause) in a hairdressers

not many

exactly so there you go

but they're still on the same principle they're still both doing the same thing

aye but they divn't (pause) if you go in a hairdressers right (pause) you don't see

but what I'm saying is they're both doing the same thing it's like for football they're we're not we don't even get a look in do you know what I mean we only get a look in when it's like practising around kicking a (interruption) ball on the street

no because

(unclear) we're not competing against others in competitions (interruption) (unclear)

no because

(unclear) the cup

how many (pause) it's only starting to happen that girls wanted to start playing football (pause) there's not that many girls that want to play football (pause) mind there's a few

what about (interruption) (unclear)

but not as many as lads

but what about men I mean men are going in to being nannies now they're going into being nannies cooks (pause) they're secretaries men are allowed to go into a woman's world but like women don't get entertained in a man's world

so how many eh

that's the way it is

how many men air air hostesses or whatever do you see

the air stewards

how many men do you see (pause) if you get on a plane how many men do you see

stewards oh

how many is there more girls than there is men

obviously but (interruption) there's there's still there's still some on though the stewards (interruption)

(interruption) there you go (interruption) aye but not as many though is it it's a it's another female thing (pause) it's another female job of course it is

no but well you see ehm

but you get you get men and fe you get eh (pause) male and female models (pause) right

mm-hm

how come a female model's on more than a male model (pause) on more money how come they get more publicity on the television (pause) you see that's another thing isn't it

I think there's been I think eh (pause) ah I divn't know

aye well you see

don't know (pause) aye

aye well you see you not thinking are you

but there's still it I I think everything should be equal rights now like we should be ehm (pause) if yous can do it we can do it if we can do it yous can do it it should all be made equal

but men might not want to do what women do

well they are though aren't they the they want it they want to be nannies I mean there's they (pause) secretaries nurses men are becoming nurses

right how many how many men secretaries do you see

there's a canny few (interruption) going around

how many (pause) how many

well I ca I ca I can't I couldn't say

there's not that many

I couldn't say but there is eh (pause) there is a lot though if you go to these agencies that like eh puts they need a secretary or whatever because they're all going on holiday or whatever I mean (pause) you could get a man do you know what I mean

well what I want to say is that there's not many doing it though

there's a few

not that many

I couldn't say (pause) same with driving instructors women are women are just getting into there now

uh-huh

women are just just starting to do it now because everyone thought 'oh well a man'll take you' and a man or (pause) test driving test men like the ones that take you for your test the majority'll probably be men but now women are starting to do it that's one opening that's opening for we

ah because (pause) some (pause) some females feel easier with a female instructor (pause) don't they

but eh it it's just funny though I mean put it this way right men always say men are better women better drivers than women but why is it right when women come to get insured that it's cheaper than men

I don't know

exactly but do you know why it is though because men have more accidents than women you find men driving faster than women a lot more boy racers young ones who have just passed their test

uh-huh

it (pause) they fly around in these cars and you can not tell me that half of them are insured (unclear) insured (pause) and eh (pause) and people's and people I mean you say 'have you seen that look at her a woman driver I can not believe it I thought it was and their insurance is cheaper than mine'

ah but how many women have driving jobs is there would you say there's more women

there's more

than men with driving jobs

driving is essential these days it's an essential (interruption) necessity

ah but I'm saying (pause) how many women do you (pause) have a driving job

well a lot of people have got to drive a lot of women have got to drive to work and that

mm-hm but I'm saying a full time like say a bus driver now there is more women (pause) coming into bus driving than there has usually been

the majority is still men though

aye and how many women do heavy goods driving

there'd probably be about (pause) I mean (pause) about thirty to a hun thirty percent if that do you know what I mean of eh (pause) women doing truck driving because there is some women doing truck driving but there's (pause) the majority is obviously men

but I wouldn't (pause) I divn't know how you can say that more men have more accidents than women (pause) I wouldn't say (pause) (interruption) I wouldn't say women have more accidents than men I would say

but it's right (pause) when when you see joy riders on the telly or whatever it you get the odd lass that's done it but it's always boys

only because boy you would say right boys (pause) get bored easy more easy

boys find cars more interesting boys boys are (pause) boys are more imm immature do you know what I mean

(unclear) I wouldn't say that like

they are because I mean it's a well known fact that that eh (pause) well uh-huh I mean when when I done a course at school it's all that eh that boys had slower mentality than women (laughter)

well how's that

it was it was just a course we done at school and that the the and that girls mature quicker than boys

well I would say that's a (pause) a matter of opinion myself like

but it's a well known fact that m boys girls mature quicker (interruption) than boys

well how

it it it just is

but how

because it is

bu bu but 'is' is not an answer

I (pause) is I mean eh (pause) it I mean (pause) I can not I can not I can not tell you the reason why but it that's what that's what everybody says

no I wouldn't (interruption) say that like

doctors and that and everybody I mean my ma just said it before

no

my mam said it in the kitchen before (interruption) and that

it doesn't mean it's right

I I know it doesn't mean it's right because my mam said it but I I done we done ehm we found out (unclear) at school and everything we looked in books and that and that's what it had said

no

girls mature quicker than boys when they grow up

(unclear)

(laughter) I'm telling ye

well (pause) what's the age group you (pause) you eh knock about with

ehm same age as me and older

but how much older

about a year

well there you go how old are you now

seventeen

seventeen when I was seventeen I was knocking about with people say eh twenty two and twenty three because I could re relate better with them I went on holiday with a lad for a bunch of lads when I was seventeen (pause) who had an age group of twenty two to twenty four

I know but (interruption) (unclear)

but the the no but you no you're saying that lasses mature (pause) quicker than lads but there you go I've just proved you wrong

no

I related better to people who were older than me

mm

than I did the same age group as us

but if (interruption) but if

so how (pause) how do you get that

I'm I'm saying if (pause) if I mean it's a fact it's a fact

I'm I'm (interruption) how can it be a fact if I've just telt you eh (pause) otherwise

well one though howay one it it is a fact that (interruption) women mature quicker than boys it is it's a fact (interruption)

(interruption) one (pause) eh (pause) one (pause) one out of (interruption) honest no I can't agree with that like

it's a fact

can't agree with that

(laughter) it's a fact

but a fact a fact that you can't explain

(laughter)

a fact you haven't got any answer to

but hang on I mean I'm I'm I'm I'm not a doctor or nowt (interruption) (unclear)

but you seem to know what a doctor mean you're you're telling me that girls mature faster than boys but yet you can't give us an answer why

because I divn't know

well exactly so you can't say you do know

(laughter)

can you howay I've just give you an answer (pause) you you've give me a question right (pause) and you you (pause) well you haven't given us a question you've actually telt me right that (pause) that girls mature faster than boys right

it it is a fact that though

but I'm saying

I can not (interruption) explain why but it is

but I've just give you I've just give you (pause) but I've just give you an instance right about me (pause) right and yet when you (pause) when I come back to you you can't give me an answer the reason you've telt me

because I don't know

well there you go so you can't be right (pause) can you

I well it's just what I think and it's it's (unclear)

no but you're saying it's a fact and now you're saying 'it's just what I think'

it's not just what I think I I I think that aye fair enough I think it but so do a lot of other people (pause) a lot of other people (unclear)

but you telt me it was a fact

but i it is a fact though

no it can't be

it is a fact

there must be like eh (pause) an unproven one then

no no it's (interruption) it's a proven fact

well it must be

it's a poor proven fact

ah I can't understand like

it is

no

(laughter) I'm sorry but it is (laughter) (pause) it is a a fact though

no I'm just going to agree to differ

(unclear) (laughter) (pause) but ehm (pause) what kind of car car what kind of cars do you like working on

oh (pause) eh all kinds (pause) (unclear) not like a main dealer you work on all sides of cars not like a normal person who'll work on a dealership (pause) who'll work on a basic like

like a Ford

a Ford Ford Escort Ford Fiesta I we work on anything

anything that comes into the garage

anything yeah which gives you more experience (pause) and better experience

because you're not working on the same car all the time because when you come say you might have done your apprenticeship with the same dealer like a Ford (pause) or Patterson's or whatever (pause) you're working on them cars all the time comes to when you leave there and say you start somewhere else you've only had experience working on the same car all the time it'd be different get up or set up whatever of another car (pause) fair enough uh-huh more experience working on all of them (pause) that's if you're taught properly like

what do you mean

(laughter) just I'm just saying like I mean sometimes you might go on a wild team you might go into you might go into a garage and that (pause) and you you might you get told off the college when you've been there on your day release 'this is how you do this and this is how you do that and this is how you set it all up and take it apart and all that' but when you get to your garage they might tell you something different so who do you believe do you know what I mean they'll say that they're right your work say (pause) they're right (pause) who do you believe

I think you you your college doesn't do work on them cars all the time (pause) obviously a placement'll work on them cars a lot more than the the college'll work with them so obviously they're going to have a faster way of doing it (pause) and that's the way they look at it garages don't look at the way you do it they look at the way how long it takes you to do it (pause) them work on hour

and the college tell you the right fact how to do it but it takes longer

well they're both right ways to do it it's just a faster way and a shorter way the college'll tell you to do it the the (interruption) harder way

like say eh the college says how to take an oil filter off or whatever like they say eh 'if you if you can not get it off with a strap or whatever pop it with a screwdriver' but when you do that at work do that if I get caught doing that at work or whatever then you get wrong and say 'use a thicker strap that's wrong'

it's (pause) it's not wrong it's another method (pause) you're going to use your initiative it's another method to do it you get stuck in and the strap doesn't work obviously you're going to have to (pause) try something else

it's just a messier way of doing it

aye but that's what I'm saying you've got to use your initiative there's n (pause) there's never going to be people there all the time to watch you and say 'do it that way do it that way' you've got to learn from your own (pause) mistakes

it's all (pause) it's all on initiative and concentration (pause) it's what it all revolves around

what do you do in your spare time (NAME)

me ehm (pause) in my spare time usually I just go out to pubs and clubs and things like that

(laughter)

I hardly ever go out it's ehm (pause) I really just go out at (pause) the weekends maybes (pause) well not really Fridays any more it's usually just Saturdays and Sundays occasional Sundays (pause) usually through the week I'm too tired just stay in and watch the telly (pause) things like that I just (pause) you've got no energy any more (laughter) you know (laughter) (pause) you've given it all to work and you've just got to (pause) stay in (pause) and keep on building your energy up for the weekend (pause) and then it'll go again (pause) then back to work again

you've never really had any sports have you really you know you never do any sport

aye I used to do some (pause) lot of swimming when I was younger I used to swim for the city and things like that

did you

when I was younger yeah (pause) but I gave that up when I were about fourteen or fifteen

aye you gave it up a long time ago

I just got s (pause) I got lots of I got a load of medals and things like that an loads of badges (pause) for that (pause) it's a good sport but eh (pause) now I just don't get the time (pause) I (pause) you're too tired when you come in from work you (pause) the last thing on your mind is to go to the baths and swim like (unclear) that was a good sport nice sport (pause) and you get the occasional five a side at work you play the different depots

mm

and sometimes we go up to Consett and that (pause) and have a (pause) have a kick about up there (pause) it's a good laugh (pause) once in a while (pause) eh (pause) or you (unclear) I look at my friend's cars and things like that in my spare time (pause) if I get the chance (pause) put radios in for them and that (pause) but apart from that eh (pause) (laughter) must (pause) must be a c (pause) (laughter) a telly addict (laughter)

mm what do you do (NAME)

ehm (pause) I spend I I rarely stay in do I I have about one night a week in (pause) eh if that

she's on less money she this is the one that's telling me she's on less money than me complaining she's out more than me

I spend most of my time going out through the week ehm (pause) I meet my if I have been at work then ehm I have to get washed and everything so I'll probably meet them later on but ehm whatever night it is I go out I mean I haven't really got any (pause) sports or hobbies I mean I used to do swimming and all my mam both put we into swimming when we were younger we both left about the same age well he left at fourteen and like when he was older I left about the same age as him and all but ehm (pause) haven't (pause) aye I would like to do swimming again it's it's just the time I mean saying that though I spend most of the time out with my friends it's just that whether them wanting to do it and all do you know what I mean ehm (pause) I spend most of my time going out just going down to my friend's houses or going out to pubs and that but that's just on weekends only I only go out like to pubs and that or clubs or whatever just on us Friday or a Saturday I don't go out on Sunday because I go to the college on Monday

do you

so it's just through the week really go out and meet my friends and that

mm

but eh

is that locally then

locally they all most of them live round us one lives near the town but it's only like a bus ride away so I'll usually meet her halfway

mm

ehm (pause) I I sometimes miss miss being at school like because eh (pause) I don't think I miss it for the work at school I miss it for the friends losing contact of my friends even though like you keep your phone you keep all your friends' phone numbers and everything you feel obligated to phone up (pause) and say 'oh it's such and such' and they think 'well what's she phoning us now for it's been a year'

mm-hm

but eh I miss school

you've still got some friends in school (unclear)

eh I've still got eh a lot of friends in school a lot of them stayed on but eh they they're due to leave next month because they just stayed on for a year or stay on for another year a couple of my friends are going to college but ehm (pause) aye I miss school it's a I thought ehm (pause) when I was in the fifth year at school and when we went on wor work experience I that's that's when I definitely knew I wanted to be a mechanic (pause) and ehm (pause) I thought it was going to be like that when I started work I thought it was brilliant but when I started work i i it it was like that for about (pause) a couple of month but then it just changed the and then when you've been there a year they expect more of you they expect you to be able to do things you've worked for that long now and the pressure goes on and on and on until you you've got to do it but ehm (pause) in a way I wish I was like I had I could take back a year and do it again

mm-hm

but eh I think I would probably do the same thing again (laughter)

mm

leave school

did you feel like that when you left school

ehm (pause) not really I thought (pause) when I left school I had a couple of jobs before I left actually started mechanics I knew I wanted to do mechanics just (pause) I was writing job application after job application trying to get a apprenticeship that's what I wanted an apprenticeship and ehm (pause) so I got a part time job and stuff like that so really I had a a taste of proper life (pause) because I done a work experience I had done two weeks instead of one week

mm-hm

and I thought 'I want to do this now' so when I was waiting (pause) for my job applications come through I got a part time job so obviously I had a taste of what it was really like in the proper world before I actually started my full time job

mm-hm

so it was it wasn't like that really (pause) but mechanics aren't (pause) m she's right in what she's by saying eh (pause) mechanics is not what I exactly what I thought I (pause) it was going to be like but I thought eh (pause) when I'd done my work experience (pause) I thought it was brilliant I thought it was like a form of leisure eh it wasn't working 'it's great this' and stuff like that it's it is it's eh (pause) the way they treat you they keep they treat you with kids gloves and things like that like eh (pause) they'll say 'oh George do this' and 'not to bother' and things like that but as soon as you're (pause) eh at work properly it's eh (pause) it hits you like that (pause) it does hit you

totally different

it's not the same I think they make it a bit different to what it really is

they speak to you different then they're not as nice as what they've (unclear)

aye I don't think it's a case of that I think it's just a

no well

you're not (pause) they haven't (pause) allowed you to do this you kind of thing they haven't put you in the picture and you go to work and it just hits you like that you think 'wha what happened'

'what do I do'

'is this the same place'

aye

but eh (pause) the I still like the job (pause) obviously you have your (pause) bad days and your good days but eh (pause) eh well I've always wanted to work I've never ever (pause) thought to myself like 'eh oh I'll stay in the house all day' kind of thing

no

or not look a I've always been out looking for work I couldn't stay in and that I was like I was bad the other day (pause) and like I was going to I thought I I'll take the full week off I'll go back on the Monday make a fresh start (pause) by the Thursday I was eh the Friday I was demented (pause) I I just couldn't watch the telly had to be back at work and get and doing something

right

I just can't stay in the house like that I've got to be at work

mm

it's eh (pause) it's boring (pause) not my cup of tea at all

so what do you see yourself doing in four say five years time

ehm (pause) hopefully be qualified a lot of people think I won't be qualified but I mean I've I've got through my first year I've took my exams well my first year exams I've passed

(unclear)

I've passed them

oh good

for my first year and eh (pause) I just hope it all it all goes well I hope I get through the second year and maybe the third

mm

and probably about five years time I'll be (pause) where he is now

mm-hm

hopefully but eh (pause) I've proved myself this far so I'm not going to let go now

no mm what about you (NAME) five years (interruption) time

in five years time ehm (pause) I'll probably work with the the it's a good company I work for at the minute but eh (pause) I don't think I'll be with the company I'm with at the minute I'll probably hope to be with a better company (pause) eh I'm saying a better company than it it's a good company but like eh (pause) a company that's more into (pause) mechanics like you do a lot of mechanics at work and things like that but it's not like (pause) the stuff (pause) eh oil the engines like stripping engines down and stuff like that that's where I think I'll be in n n n next five years (pause) and eh (pause) hopefully making more money than I'm making now (laughter) basically (laughter)

mm-hm

(laughter) having my own car the things that are going at the minute (unclear) having your own eh (pause) house (pause) it's a long time five year (pause) a long time

doesn't sound it (interruption) though does it

(unclear) (pause) anything could happen couldn't it

mm

aye (laughter)

what about your friends then (NAME) what

half of them'll be still on the dole (laughter)

really

a lot of them are on the dole a lot of them just can not be bothered but eh (pause) I mean there's a few of them that's trying to make an effort

mm

trying to get out there a lot of them are secretaries funny enough (unclear) ehm (pause) work in solicitors secretaries they eh work in hotels a lot of them are that but ehm (pause) I think out of out of all my year I've got to be the one that done the most unusual thing

mm

a lot of them just like (pause) followed everybody else but eh (pause) I I didn't want to be like that I thought 'no I I don't want to be another little person that tally on with the rest I want to be something different' but ehm (pause) they're going to be on the dole no hopers

mm

you know but I mean (NAME) she's (pause) she's ehm (pause) sh she she's in the sixth form now when she leaves next month she's got a part time job at Burger King and she's getting t she's been ehm accepted at Newcastle College in September so

mm

I mean she wants to be a (pause) what was it a nanny or something child care she wants to be something like that so (pause) she's away

mm good

she's making (pause) making her mark

when you go to college are you the only girl in the in the group

uh-huh the only girl in it in the whole eh (pause) there was when I first started there was six girls when I first started but I'm the only one left the only one that's stuck it through

really

ehm (pause) I used to see him he was in the college before he left in eh (pause) I mean at at first I felt oh I can not believe this like I mean when even when there was lasses in my college I never got put with any of them I got hoyed straight in with the lads and that and eh (pause) funny enough I knew a couple of them in my class which made it a little bit easier and with him being there it made it a lot easier

mm

but ehm (pause) I got to know most people mm get on canny with them it's enjoyable

were there no girls in the years ahead of you at college

no no girls at all in the college in any year (laughter)

(unclear) tough

it it was at first I mean you get used to it but (pause) I I think eh (pause) if they hoy if they it's like going to a new school really if they put us in a (pause) always when we we I changed schools I always seemed to settle in really quick really well make friends dead well I think I'm that kind of person but at college you just start talking to any every anybody getting to know them and (pause) with within like within two weeks I knew them all it was (pause) really nice

mm

and (unclear) you get a bit sick of them there like because they're a pain being all boys like but ehm (pause) I enjoy it

ehm are they pulling your leg a lot

oh they wind us up a lot really eh (pause) I mean the thing is I react I I get annoyed (pause) annoyed straight away and eh I think that's why they like winding us up

mm-hm

the way I react but I get with us being at work and all I get criticized a lot and all I at one time I I really did get annoyed but it just goes past my head now and I think you know they're they're only doing it to make us bite

mm

and I thought 'no' so I just laugh it off now just laugh it off (laughter)

did you go to the same school

mm-hm

eh (pause) I'm trying to think now went the (pause) s South Benwell that was a primary school at Redewood (pause) and then like (pause) I just left and (pause) you were just what was it (pause) you you'd be there a year

(interruption) I would have been

and I was

I was in the

first year

first year and he had just left school (interruption) (unclear)

I had just left and I went up to the top one (pause) then I left there and you were just (pause) you didn't actually go to that one did you

no it got knocked down

mm-hm

because I I used to go that one what after I left there when she had just started I went the top one which was like for the (pause) wasn't for the fifth and sixth wasn't it

fifth and sixth year

fifth and sixth year (pause) and by the time I left there it'd be one of the last ones to come out of there (pause) and then it got knocked down so they actually just kept the one at the bottom open (pause) and she

was that here

it was Redewood

it was just up the top there

Redewood school I mean it's it's got a bad reputation now it's got a really bad reputation (unclear) it was eh I mean half the people from sc we only went there because most of wor friends from South Benwell went so to join it all (interruption) then

it was either that one or (unclear) we could have went to Kenton but it was right out of the way but so we moved up to here (pause) and we would have went to (unclear) but we moved up here we were moving up to here (pause) we actually went to (interruption) Redewood

Redewood

mm

just to meet wor friends up there but eh (pause) if my mam says if she had her time over again she wouldn't have put we in there I mean it it I mean the people at work they know which school I went to and they (pause) they just t constantly take the mick call it a remedial school

mm

but eh I mean it it wasn't all that bad I mean (pause) half the people from Scotswood went with us and that that's what the trouble was but ehm (pause) there wasn't enough discipline

mm

not enough discipline at all

mm

nobody learned but eh (pause) I wouldn't if it was my I mean the I thought it was great me like because he was there and like my friends were there and I thought 'oh well this is good' got on to the fifth year and I thought do you know I wish I could turn the clock back and go to another school (unclear) I wish I had went to Kenton now I would have had better exam results (laughter) I passed them like but (pause) eeh aye

were you when you were at school did they have the same the same exams when you were in (unclear) and (NAME) (interruption) (unclear) no change from the

the same like

yeah (pause) no they were the same

GCSEs (unclear)

(unclear) GCSEs

(unclear)

yeah (pause) about the same the hadn't actually changed

mm because they're swapping and changing all the time

it changes all (interruption) the time

mm-hm

which is wrong because it's bad for the pupils (pause) you you teach them one thing and all of a sudden you're halfway through you'll got to turn round and say 'right we're going to do it this way' and then you've got to take an exam when you're twelve and things like that it all this (pause) I think they want to sort it out a bit better

it's ehm (pause) it's all changing to eleven plus now (pause) what they used to do say about what thirty year ago

I know

twenty thirty (unclear) year ago they were the it's all changing them now (pause) which is supposed to be quite hard like but (pause) then again which exam's easy

you you're doing different things you said you did City and Guilds

I done City and Guilds and

I've done level one City and Guilds and I'm doing level two three and four in NVQ which he he won't do (pause) because it's all changed now

well I didn't do it I got my (pause) City and Guilds in stages City and Guilds in stages then (pause) they says 'well there's a lot to come in next recruits like say oh first year we're doing it NVQs just changed again'

(unclear)

it's wrong yeah (pause) you can't like say to I think it's hard like actually like I think City and Guilds is harder (pause) because you actually had to do an exam you had to do practical and pass on both them now you don't do well at all

mm-hm

so it means that (pause) all them people who've passed in the years past like done City and Guilds

mm

(unclear) they're right and now they turn round and say like they get more people through (pause) they start doing it the easier way which is eh (pause) which is all wrong

mm

making it too easy

but you said you had exams have you had to do exams

I I done ehm (pause) level one in City and Guilds

she did level one City and Guilds and actually halfway through they've changed it to NVQs

oh I see

so (pause) I go the like I've just been I've been told not last week it was the (pause) it was (pause) either last week or the week before I've been advanced a year so what happens now I just jump straight into level three I mean level two NVQ instead of carrying on with the (pause) City and Guilds like the rest of the group will be doing

mm

so (pause) it's not too bad but it's people say it's easier he says it's easier and (pause) a lot of people in my college think it's harder so you don't actually know until you really go on to it

mm

well I I like I know a lot of them tutors down there and I've been speaking to them and they've been doing it for years and years and years City and Guilds and they've actually telt me NVQs is a lot easier

but what some say that but other people say N V NVQ is harder it's just that (pause) you've got a lot to build you've got a lot of work to build up in City and Guilds it's been run for so long they just think it's it it's just what they're used to

I'd say City and Guilds is a better way to do it

aye I know but you can not say that because you've never done NVQs

ah but I didn't need to do them then though

aye I know

if I'm getting telt off a person who's been doing it for thirty odd year (pause) obviously I'm going to know

I know

at least he's going to know a lot more than what you know

well obviously (pause) but you

well he knows because he's getting the results from them (pause) they say right you're getting that you're getting like a load of passes when a at City and Guilds you would get a odd fail they'd tell you (pause) exactly what it is used to have to do a lot more preparation for on City and Guilds (pause) a lot more studying

mm

because you used to go into depth (pause) and things

but (unclear) but this time fair enough you you take well that might be one advantage with NVQs you don't have to take exams

but I wouldn't say it is I think it's better taking exams

oh it

because obviously you've got to study it's got to st stay in your head isn't it

but eh (pause) you're building a lot of coursework up there's not a lot of writing in this book you've got to (unclear)

exactly (pause) writing

you you've when you're writing well fair enough when you're writing in the eh (pause) City and Guilds you're taking it in as you're writing it but you might be just doing the odd the odd line in these new books but eh (pause) there's a lot of work to (pause) be kept up in there

ah but you're not writing for writing

I know (interruption) (unclear)

I mean you've got to take in what you're writing

I know but you've still got to read them though still got to read them (interruption) (unclear)

I can't see people reading them right off (pause) I I just can't see it happening

well you'll have to read them unless you don't

why (pause) just take you for instance right you get these books right it's full of information and like that where're you going to get the time to read that

exactly

you go out too much

but (interruption) (unclear)

you're not going to get the time (unclear) social life

but I would have to find the time (interruption) though wouldn't I

but you wouldn't I know I've done it myself you just do not find the time

(laughter) you'd have to find the time (interruption) (unclear)

I've went into exams and I've never read a book for months and months and months and I've had to really (pause) think 'Jesus what the hell's that' and it just doesn't work (pause) (interruption) I've done it before I know that it doesn't work I think 'oh I'll just go out the night and I I'll stay stay in tomorrow and have a look at it' and then you say tomorrow 'well (pause) if I wait until Wednesday I could have a look on Wednesday and go out tonight' and it goes on and on and on until eventually the day comes you think 'oh God I'm going to have a look through it now' you've got no choice but you just divn't work it doesn't work

you'd have to find the time because you'd (pause) mm-hm

have you got any holiday plans

not this year hopefully I'm getting a car shortly I'm trying to get it all sorted out I've got a (pause) load of eh quotations for insurance and (pause) ridiculous ones and things like that

mm

I'm trying a loan sorted at the minute I think it's going to be a (pause) if things go to plan it'll be a car this year

mm

well the next two years (pause) take us a while to pay it off get that sorted an eh (pause) then I'll start thinking about holidays and that (pause) eh (pause) it (pause) I've got to have a car for work back backwards and forwards bus (unclear) (pause) it's come to the time when I can use the company van so it means you know I use the company van bring it home and like I prefer than getting the eh (pause) bus (pause) backwards and forwards to work

where do you have to go

eh (pause) Heaton

(unclear)

Rothbury Terrace

(unclear) that

so it's eh (pause) I've got to walk all the way up to the top of Westerhope and get a bus all the way down there

(unclear)

to Chillingham Road and then walk all the way down the back

mm

to eh Rothbury Terrace so I'd prefer a car at the minute it'd be much easier for us

mm (pause) do you have to go by bus

West Denton

where

I get the odd lift off him in the mornings (laughter)

(unclear)

(interruption) I go eh

is that early

well eh

eeh well

when she's ready

(laughter)

I'll be up for ten minutes and he'll shout 'I'm going' (laughter) so I have to run out the door with my (pause) jumper and everything in my hand (laughter)

no she thinks I'll I'll be here for a while she has a little lie in and then rushing about

(laughter)

while she starts for half past eight and I start at eight o'clock so I've got to be there earlier than her

so I'll be there an hour before I should start (laughter) but eh I mean (pause) I I think I'll be having a holiday next year well luckily but eh (pause) I can not say I've got to get through my driving test first (laughter)

how long have you been learning to drive

eh (pause) learning to drive I had my fifth one my fifth driving lesson on Sunday I've got my sixth on (pause) next Tuesday

right

next Tuesday so it's coming on canny

mm-hm

a few eh little problems here and there but (laughter)

plenty of practice (unclear)

ehm I do it at work uh-huh I go out in the van with (NAME) at work my boss but eh (pause) my dad says he's I'm not getting near his car so (laughter)

oh dear

so (pause) I think I'm only getting help off my driving instructor (laughter) but ehm

should I read them now sheet beetle metre I beat it gate paint fatal later I hate it eighty eight bet bent felt fettle better I met him hat ant battle batter (pause) drat it cart can't carter pot totter bottle font f salt I got it caught daughter (pause) chortle hunt b I bought it boat total motor I wrote it put footer (pause) footer (laughter) put it in boot Bootle hooter bite title (pause) (unclear) (pause) I would say mitre there (pause) pint bite it out fount out outer pit bitter brittle print I hate it I hit it hilt

(laughter)

it catches your tongue this (pause) beak wreck back I seek it I wreck it I back it

(laughter)

bank lamp leap cap st steep it lap it apron matron micro (pause) Metro leprosy petrol (pause) atlas hopper butter hacker topple bottle hackle whisper custard after w whisker doctor chapter jumper hunter bunker appear attend occur appearance attendance occurrence alpine altar polka staircase half past half cut (laughter) automatic Jupiter epileptic sheet read breeze key gate made may boat load (pause) go boot brewed booze brew out loud cow sight side size sigh sign knife five knives dive dial Friday diary (pause) I've got to do it tomorrow (pause) I had I had to put it off (pause) he meant what he said (pause) he's booking separate tables for supper a simple sentence (pause) pick up a packet of fire lighters (pause) pack it in or beat it he's putting it off (pause) he put in a bid jump up on the tractor (pause) he won't do it that in a hurry (pause) put a comma in it (pause) (unclear) (pause) think that's it

I beat it gate paint fatal later I hate it eighty eight bet bent felt fettle better I met him hant (pause) no hat ant (laughter) battle batter drat it cart can't carter pot totter bottle font salt I got it caught daughter (pause) shottle caught I bought it boat total motor I wrote it put footer put it in boot Bootle hooter bite title mitre pint bite it out (pause) fount outer pit bitter brittle print I hit it hit hilt beak breek no beak (pause) beak wreck back I seek it I wreck it I back it (pause) bank lamp leap cap no bank lamp leap cap steep it lam it lap it apron (laughter) matron micro (pause) Metro (pause) leprosy metre (pause) acrid atlas hopper butter hacker topple bottle hackle whisper custard after whiskey doctor chapter jumper hunter bunker appear attend occur appearance attendance occurrence alpine altar pol polka staircase half past half cut automatic Jupiter epileptic sheet read breeze key gate made may boat load (pause) go boot bruise brewed brew out loud cow sight side size (pause) sigh sighed knife five knives dive dial Friday diary I've got to do it tomorrow I had to put it off he meant what he said he's booking separate tables for supper a simple sentence pick up a packet of fire lighters pack it in or beat it he's putting it off he put it in (pause) a bid jum he put in a he put in a bid jump up on the tractor he won't do it that in a hurry put in a comma put a comma in it that's it