In early 2022, MTA Queensland established Auto Women, a group dedicated to providing a supportive environment for women working across all sectors of the automotive industry. This initiative offers a wide range of support including professional development scholarships, comprehensive online resources, and engaging in-person events. Over the past two years, the Auto Women program has gained significant traction and support within the industry.
This year, Auto Women made the commitment to expand its reach to the regions, starting with its first event in Townsville. The event, which took place shortly after International Women’s Day in March, brought together more than 35 women representing diverse roles in the automotive sector, from panel beaters to dealer principals, apprentice mechanics to marketing managers.
Following the success of the Townsville event, Auto Women’s journey continued with a gathering in Mackay in April, where over 55 attendees enjoyed a delightful afternoon along the riverfront, accompanied by delicious food and refreshments. Kellie Dewar, Deputy CEO of MTA Queensland and the GM of Member Services, expressed her delight at seeing all the new faces showing their support for this important initiative.
“We received significant demand from our members to host events in the regions . . . and that’s exactly what we have done! We couldn’t be prouder of our Auto Women program, and it is pleasing to see industry rallying behind it,” said Kellie. “Our goal is to further develop this program to provide women with a safe and empowering environment to seek guidance, pursue career growth, and shatter the glass ceiling.”
Fast forward to June, the Auto Women community gathered in Brisbane at the Green House, Howard Smith Wharves. A fantastic night of networking, live music, and delicious food, the event provided a great opportunity for guests to come together in a relaxed environment. The event attracted over 80 attendees from across southeast Queensland and served as an ideal platform for MTA Queensland to unveil its new Automotive Women in Trades Apprenticeship Mentoring Program, an initiative proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
Through this unique program, MTA Queensland has partnered with BUSY Sisters to offer personalised, one-on-one mentoring to first- and second-year female automotive apprentices throughout Queensland. During the event, Michelle King, the Project Manager, expressed her excitement about the program, emphasising its potential to positively impact the lives and careers of aspiring female automotive professionals. Meanwhile, Billie-Jo Thompson of BUSY Sisters engaged with the apprentices and trainees present on the night as one of the dedicated mentors.
“Supporting these young, aspiring automotive professionals to grow and develop is something I am extremely passionate about, and I look forward to working with our dedicated team of mentors to create a positive outcome on apprentice completion and retention rates,” said Michelle.
After a successful Brisbane event, attention turns to the upcoming Auto Women Cairns Social on Thursday, 11th July. The event will be hosted at the beautiful Salt House waterfront venue, offering a picturesque setting to network and connect with other women in the automotive industry. This is a great opportunity to engage with like-minded professionals and build valuable connections.
