GIRL power exists in what was predominantly a man's world.

Introducing Jessica Suffield and Stacey Chandler. Jessica's perfectly manicured nails and Stacey's expertly styled Fifties inspired fringe suggest these girls love to glam up when the opportunity arises, but by day they're happy getting their hands dirty tending to supercars in their role as female technicians for the successful Bradford family-run car company JCT 600.

Based at the company's prestigious Porsche Centre in City West Business Park, Leeds, Jessica and Stacey are currently on an apprenticeship programme which is encouraging more females into the profession.

Katie Saunders, the company's HR director, explains the apprenticeship scheme has expanded in line with the company's significant growth.

Before 2013 one per cent of their apprentices were female - since 2018 10 per cent are now female. Katie says being proactive, and profiling the profession in schools and at job fairs is helping to change the perception that the automotive industry is a male-dominated career.

In fact, many of the senior roles at JCT 600 are filled by women. Katie talks of the inspirational females heading up some of their brands from Mercedes to commercial vehicles.

"I think there is this move towards 'you can do anything if you want to,' if you are male or female, that message is much louder than it was before and I think schools are starting to see that because they are inviting more employers in and that can only be a good thing."

For Jessica and Stacey, the pursuit of a profession working with cars is an extension of their pastimes. Jessica's passion for motorsport was sparked when a friend introduced her to British truck racing.

Her story is similar to many other girls who feel they aren't encouraged into professions previously perceived to be male-dominated due to the stereotypes which still exist.

Jessica was interested in sports science - but truck racing enabled her to combine her pastime with a profession.

Proving that women can make it as mechanics - Jessica applied to join JCT 600's apprenticeship scheme and has been working at The Porsche Centre since September 2016.

Stacey was already working there, having joined the previous year, so Jessica wasn't stepping into an entirely male-dominated environment.

The girls have become great friends and they have fitted in well with their male colleagues too. "We are just two of the lads!" laughs Jessica.

Adding: "We all do stuff out of work together - but with more lads!"

As part of her training, Jessica is now starting to work on the Hybrid versions - electric is perceived to be the way forward so the girls need to expand their knowledge which is why they go for regular training, as part of their apprenticeship, at college in Shrewsbury and on courses with Porsche UK.

Working with classics as well as modern Porsches, Stacey's training has taken her to Germany where she has benefited from the knowledge of experts who initially designed the cars.

"In Germany we go to Stuttgart HQ and are taught by people who designed and maintained the cars - they are German instructors, you have an interpretor in your ear and you learn the way they did it when they were new," says Stacey.

Compared with their male counterparts, the girls may not have the advantages of strength and height. "But you find ways round it," says Stacey, who gets to use her expertise on her own super car - a VW Lupo which she has modified with lowered suspension and fancy wheels.

For Stacey, anything 'hands-on' comes second nature - coupled with that is in an inherited passion for cars.

"When I was at school I was always hands on - I've always been brought up to do things, my Mum always made clothes," says Stacey, referring to a skill she too inherited and contemplated utilising in a career in fashion.

However, that dream faded and Stacey also found a profession which combined her pastime.

"I come from a car crazy family - we are all in the motor trade. My sister is a panel beater, my cousin is a welder, my father was a mechanic and my uncle is a mechanic and my mum has always been interested in racing so I have been brought up around drag racing doing lots of adventurous stuff - I've always been an adrenaline junkie," she explains.

The 21-year-old from Ripon is used to helping out at drag races "and if something breaks I fix it," she adds.

Stacey is used to working in a male-dominated environment so being the first female technician to join the team at The Porsche Centre wasn't daunting to her.

Now the girls hope to inspire other women to follow in their footsteps.

"Anyone can do anything - if you have a passion and a determination you will get far," says Stacey, who is one of only five classic technicians - and the only woman - in the UK to be selected by Porsche UK as part of the support team for Project 70 - a race car built to commemorate Porsche's 70th anniversary which took part in races including Classic Le Mans, Old Timers Grand Prix in Nürburgring and Silverstone classic.

"That is probably a highlight for me," says Stacey.

Last year Jessica, who drives a VW Polo, had the opportunity to join the pit team for the Boxster resto-racing car. "The Boxster resto-racing event started last year and now is becoming a regular championship," she explains.

"I helped build the car to make it track ready, took it testing to Blyton park to make sure everything was ready prior to the racing and attended the race meets to help prep the car and make sure it was race to ready."

Their advice to other girls who may be contemplating a career as a mechanic is? "If you want to do something just do it," says Jessica.

"As long as you have got a passion to do it that is what gets you through," adds Stacey.

Paul Teasdale, a mechanic and Jessica's mentor, says the welcoming of women into the workshop is 'good to see.'

"I don't think it should be stereotypical," says Paul.

"They are both brilliant."

Classic technician, Paul Fawcett, who is Stacey's mentor, says: "I am due to retire in November - I have worked for a long time in this trade, I started at 16 and I'm 65 this year and I've never had a girl apprentice before."

Paul cannot praise Stacey enough. "She shows initiative, she thinks outside of the box. All you can do is try your best and she does. She is a wonderful kid."