With the current Australian skills shortages, particularly in the trades, industry associations recognise the need to attract new skills to ensure future viability. Recognising the unique skills sets and diversity benefits of employing more women into traditionally male-dominated trades, many industries are embracing the growing interest women are showing in trade careers.
This includes the automotive trade! Motor Trades Association Queensland (MTA Queensland) have recently partnered with BUSY Sisters, a mentoring program supporting women into traditionally male-dominated trades, including automotive trades. MTA Queensland is the peak body representing the interests of employers in the retail, service and repair sectors of Queensland’s automotive industry.
Funded by the Queensland Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, a specialist mentoring program for females wanting to enter the auto trades will be supported through BUSY At Work’s BUSY Sisters program, a national support program for women entering a range of traditionally male-dominated trade careers. Through the partnership with MTA Queensland, BUSY Sisters provide experienced and dedicated mentors to support first and second year female apprentices with structured one-on-one mentoring during the initial stages of their apprenticeship.
Through the support and guidance of a mentor, participants are given tools to navigate their apprenticeship, overcome challenges and gain confidence to thrive in their automotive trade career.
Billi-Jo Thompson, BUSY Sisters mentor for the MTAQ /BUSY Sisters program, says, “Having face to face’s with the mentees is an integral part of the mentoring program. These girls are on the ground challenging bias’s and doing amazing work every single day and it’s great for me to be able to step into their workplace, witness it first-hand and be a part of that cultural shift.”
Recently Billie-Jo had the chance to visit Jessie, one of the participants, for a general catch-up in her workplace. Jessie is based in Toowoomba and is undertaking an Automotive Refinishing Technology apprenticeship in the family’s workshop. Jessie and her sister both aim to continue the family business and run it in the future.
Billie-Jo mentioned, “Jessie wasn’t always in the auto trade and came from a commercial cookery (Chef) career. She decided to switch to the auto trade and is undertaking an apprenticeship qualification in Automotive Refinishing Technology. According to Jessie, she enjoys being in a workplace that isn’t so ‘high stress’ whilst still working with her hands and doing something she enjoys!”
Tenille Reilly, Women in Trades Manager for BUSY Sisters said, “Our team is excited to be partnering with MTA Queensland and supporting more women to enter the automotive trades. We’re seeing a growing number of women entering trades, many of them citing that they prefer to work with their hands or not be stuck in an office. The remuneration for women is also more rewarding than traditional female roles. The automotive trade offers many exciting opportunities for women in a range of roles including auto and EV auto technicians, panel-beating and more.”
Find out more about Motor Trades Association QLD and career opportunities for Queensland women interested in the automotive trade.
Find out more about the BUSY Sisters program.
Jesse is a participant in the MTAQ / BUSY Sisters mentoring program which provides mentoring support to her in the first two years of her apprenticeship in Automotive Refinishing Technology.