Automotive industry shifting gears to welcome more female apprentices
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Katrina Nilsson, 21, credits her success as an apprentice mechanic to “supportive trainers” at the Motor Traders’ Association (MTA) NSW, who helped her develop her skills and knowledge of the automotive industry – and says there are lots of jobs out there for those keen to look.
And she wants young women to know that, even if you haven’t grown up being a ‘typical’ car-lover, exploring the diverse array of career opportunities within the changing industry can be rewarding.
“The teachers were all very understanding. Before I started in this industry, I didn’t even know how to change a tyre, whereas most of the other guys came from automotive families,” Nilsson says.
She believes her story highlights the fact that, with the right training and career-focused education, anyone find their place. While she enjoys working with cars, Nilsson isn’t a fan of electric vehicles (EVs) and has little interest in them. Instead, her heart lies with the 1983 Datson she inherited from her grandfather. Nilsson hopes to one day restore the car to its former glory and take it to the Summernats car festival.
Women in the sector are driving positive change
Ian Price is General Manager of Training at MTA NSW and says that, as a female apprentice in the sector, Nillson is unusual – adding that it’s something the industry would love to see more of.
“MTA NSW, as a leading registered automotive training organisation (RTO), trains thousands of students throughout NSW every year, unfortunately only approximately 10 per cent are females.”
But while the automotive sector is still a male-dominated field, Price says there is work being done to improve gender parity, “and we are seeing changes”.
“The latest data from the National Centre Vocational Education Research (NCVER) found that from 2022 to 2023, the number of women commencing automotive apprenticeships in NSW rose by 19 per cent across TAFE and private training providers,” he says.
“Anecdotally, MTA NSW has seen more young girls showing interest in automotive careers and engaging with us at recent school careers expos, which is a promising sign for the future of the industry.”
More support for women in the industry than ever
He points to Women in Automotive – an Australian organisation aiming to encourage more young girls to take up automotive trades, as well as supporting females in the industry, through hosting networking and motivational events and seminars – as a sign of the increased support available.
One of their recent programs, Accelerating Women into Automotive, placed female applicants into a short and intensive introduction to the automotive industry through customised training and work placement at a registered training organisation, with training covering everything from mechanics, to engineering, sales and repairs.
Motorsport Australia also offers a Girls On Track program, which runs through schools, giving girls an insight into the motorsport world, and the various career pathways.
In addition, in July 2024, the Motor Trades Association of Queensland launched the Auto Women mentoring program for women in automotive trades, supported and funded by the Queensland government through the Women in Trades mentoring program.
And for older people contemplating a career change, Price states “the opportunity to join the automotive industry is not limited to school-leavers and is a genuine option for anyone looking for a career change”.
“Work out what you enjoy … and go for it”
For Nilsson, pursuing her automotive apprenticeship – even if she doesn’t fit the stereotypical mould – was a positive choice.
“There are many reasons I chose the automotive industry, from my lifelong love of cars, puzzles and problem-solving, to the fact I’ve never really done well with a book and pen.”
“I’ve found that for the majority of my life, I tend to work, learn and remember things when I have physically done them with my hands – cars are just like giant puzzles and there’s no better way to combine my love of vehicles and problem-solving than to be a mechanic in the automotive field.”
The trick to following a career pathway towards any field, she says, is to “work out what you enjoy, what you can see yourself waking up happily every morning to do and go for it”.
She admits it “wasn’t easy to start with, especially being a female in this industry”.
“Unfortunately, I was knocked back by about three or four workshops at first, for the fact I was “too pretty”, “too clean” and “don’t look like I would enjoy it”. I almost gave up before I had even started, but luckily, I had support from my family and friends, who kept pushing me, and eventually I found the workshop where I am today.”
“Automotive is a fast paced, super rewarding industry. I am incredibly glad I chose it – and have been blessed with the team and opportunities that I have been given.
“I have had incredible support in my life, from my family and friends, my amazing trainers at the MTA NSW, and the great team at my workshop.
“I am now a happily qualified mechanic, doing things I never could have imagined. Deciding to start my apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I ever made. I wouldn’t have it any other way, it was difficult starting off, but I pushed through it and now I’m happier than ever!”
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