Shernet Atkinson-Holgate keeps the press rolling

Some may still consider mechanics, engineering and electrical work as 'man work', but Shernet Atkinson-Holgate knew she would thrive in those fields because as a child, she developed an affinity for taking apart and reassembling household appliances.

"I was really fascinated with how things work so anything I got my hands on, I tried to fix it. I remember once I spoke with my father and he asked me what I wanted to do and I told him I don't know, I am just playing around. I told him I was interested in pulling up stuff and fixing stuff. I remember my grandmother had a black and white television and as soon as she was out of the house, I would try to find some screwdriver, just something to pull it up because I wanted to know how does this thing work," she related.

Her curiosity saw her disassembling irons and by 2000, she completed studies at the Black River Vocational Centre where she was certified in electrical installation and computer technology.

She landed her first job at the Appleton Estate, where she worked in the electrical department for four months doing electrical installation, repairing fixtures and wiring for the plant.

But after her stint, Atkinson-Holgate had difficulties securing employment in her desired field. Employers would turn her away just because she was a woman.

"I remember going to a job and the gentleman said to me 'You're too pretty for this job, the guys won't do any work'. But it didn't crush me because of the passion of doing stuff and realising that when I try to do something, it works. That was the motivator for me to keep going," the mother of one said.

Her quest for knowledge and the desire to do more hands-on work led her to Kingston where she completed a diploma course in electrical and mechanical maintenance at the National Tool and Engineering Institute in 2006. She completed a six-month internship at the Kingston Container Terminal as an electrical technician and although she did not receive permanent employment, she praised her supervisors for viewing her for her skillset and not her gender.

A job opening at The Gleaner for a press operator piqued her interest and without hesitation, she applied and was hired in 2010. With little knowledge of how a press operates, the Balaclava High School [now Roger Clarke High School] graduate made it her niche for eight years. She left in 2018 but returned this year, now working in the maintenance department. She is the only female on the team and the only member who is versed at being a printer, a press mechanic and electrician. Decked in her denim, each day she arrives at work at 7 a.m., eager to complete her tasks. She revealed that no two days are the same, even though a key element of her job is to ensure that the press machines are working efficiently. With a keen eye, she demonstrated how she changed the blankets of two machines and installed the printing plates, using the typical work tools a mechanic utilises.

While she may be versed in repairing anything in the printing room, Atkinson-Holgate joked that she finds herself repairing everything around her home.

"I have a whole lot of experience. I love my job. I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I look forward to coming to work every day. I work hard, and knowing I finished my tasks and that the press is working, the publications are on par, I know that I have done my part; I am satisfied," she told THE STAR.

Her future plans entail completing additional certification at the Vocational Training Development Institute.