The automotive industry is seeing more women enter at the apprenticeship level, but support, particularly from a male relative, is key to their success, according to Phil Cooksey, General Manager at Apprenticeships Are Us Ltd (ARU).
Mr Cooksey noted that while the automotive industry has traditionally been male-dominated, the growing demand for qualified mechanics is contributing to a rise in female participation at the apprentice level.
“Over the past six months, we’ve seen a noticeable increase in women interested in starting an automotive apprenticeship. Recently, we hired four women in Melbourne as light vehicle mechanics and have also placed women in management positions across our national team,” Mr Cooksey said.
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According to Mr Cooksey, recent studies, along with industry insights and anecdotal evidence, emphasise the importance of strong support structures for female apprentices entering the industry.
“NCVER research into female tradespeople highlights how crucial family support, especially a male relative, can be in helping a woman enter the industry. Support from the employer is also essential in ensuring she stays in the field,” Mr Cooksey said.
Mr Cooksey said that female visibility in the industry is crucial, and as such ARU is about to take on three female Apprentice Employment Managers to work directly with apprentices at a state level.
At ARU, the company offers a comprehensive support system to assist women throughout their apprenticeship journey. With an impressive retention rate of 56.75 per cent, which surpasses the industry average of 40 per cent, ARU is committed to helping its apprentices succeed.
“Each state has an ARU employment manager who provides personalised support to our apprentices. They can reach out at any time, whether it’s related to work or personal matters,” Mr Cooksey said.
Looking ahead, Mr Cooksey said that the automotive industry offers significant career prospects.
“With the increasing demand for qualified automotive mechanics in the years ahead, there will be a shortage of skilled professionals. Mechanics will be in high demand, and this will likely lead to improved employment conditions, offering peace of mind in an uncertain economic environment,” he said.
“As an example, a starting salary for a car mechanic can be around $75k per year, with salaries reaching up to $100k for those working with heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.”
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Mr Cooksey said Apprenticeships Are Us Ltd has been serving NSW and VIC for 18 years and has recently expanded to WA and SA in response to the growing demand for skilled workers in the automotive industry.
Throughout their apprenticeship, ARU apprentices receive mentoring, on-the-job support, life skills training, and employability training, all while pursuing formalised training at a Registered Training Organisation of their choice.