Before the high school student arrived, Tamworth dealer JT Fossey trucks didn't have a single female mechanic.

"I'm the only girl in the whole workshop!" Miss Dawson said.

"What am I doing in a men's career? I just honestly think there needs to be more women in a men's career.

"I've grown up around two brothers and their mates fixing their utes and I just thought to myself that's what I want to be.

"I couldn't picture myself in another workshop at all. I absolutely love it here."

READ MORE:

The Manilla high school student has already been offered an apprenticeship by the workshop for 2022, if she still wants it after she finishes school.

Dealer Principal John Saint said she's proven a quick learner at the trade, willing to do anything asked of her. She's a bit of a trailblazer, he said.

"It's something very new to us. It's something that we've never had before. We've have had girls come and do their school-based trainee, but they've never stayed on.

"We're looking forward to Keona staying on and making a name for herself."

Miss Dawson is the first woman in the door, but not the first member of the family. One of her two brothers works at the business.

The school-based apprentice said the men of the workshop have helped her learn how to manage the store's massive prime movers.

They've treated her "like I'm one of their own. I thought coming in here would just be looked down on, but they've honestly helped me so much," she said.

"It's like I've known them forever they're just so helpful. I'm not scared to ask a question, they're always there, they're amazing."

JT Fossey trucks has another female staff member, but she doesn't work in the workshop.