Australian Auto Industry in Search for Women

The Australian automotive industry is going out on the town looking for women.

Auto Skills Australia says the industry is suffering critical trade skill shortages nationally, with 34,000 positions that need to be filled.

That includes 19,000 dealership mechanics. 4,000 body repairers, 2,600 spray painters and 850 automotive electricians.

ASA CEO Geoff Gwilym says to address this critical skill shortage, it is imperative the industry attracts more women, who currently make up only about 4%-5% of trade apprenticeships in the major areas covered by the 34,000 open spots.

“Auto Skills Australia will be encouraging more women to enter into the industry to help fill these skills shortages,” Gwilym says in a statement. “In March we will be launching a call to action to women and girls in the auto industry.

“This initiative will ask those women already in the industry to stand up proud in a social-media campaign, to coincide with International Women’s Day and to prompt women to register their interest in becoming employed in our industry as tradeswomen.”