The Women of Australian Motor Sport Committee (WAMS) has announced an alliance with the automotive industry to encourage and support women to take up auto and motor sports trades, to help address a critical skills shortage. The campaign also aims to showcase females already working in these industries, to highlight possible career paths.
The campaign and WAMS’ participation was announced to coincide with International Women’s Day, Saturday 8 March 2014. The theme this year is Inspiring Change and the Women in Auto Trades campaign aligns with our organisation’s vision to increase female participation across all disciplines within motor sport.
The Women in Auto Trades campaign is part of ASA’s MAAP My Future – Careers in Automotive initiative, funded by the Federal Government and aimed at increasing the uptake and retention of automotive apprenticeships to help address the skills shortage. Women in Auto specifically focuses on increasing young women’s uptake of male dominated automotive trades, which is closely aligned with the WAMS vision of helping increase the participation of women in all disciplines and roles within motor sport.
WAMS Chair, Belinda Taylor: “WAMS always seeks to explore new ways to show that there is not only a place for women in motor sport, but they are very successful when given the opportunity. It’s important to not only promote that within our sport but via external initiatives and programs in the wider industry.
“That’s where a partnership between WAMS and Women in Auto is important because it is already engaging with youth – and young women in particular – who are beginning their career as apprentices, or starting their motor sport journey and encouraging them into motor sport.
“We hope that we can provide information via our respective networks to show that when opportunities are available, nothing is impossible and that women can be successful. We also want to provide real opportunities to develop talent to further improve both the motor sport and automotive industries.â€
WAMS and Women in Auto Trades share various common elements in their endeavours, including a relatively low participation rate of women in their respective industries, and that the women who are involved have proven to become successful. There are still challenges to overcome to dispel the myth that these industries are best suited to men.
However changing that scenario is a huge motivation for WAMS and Women in Auto Trades, with the alliance being given the full support of Australia’s motor sport governing body, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
“CAMS is happy to see WAMS establish this relationship with Women in Auto Trades,†said Eugene Arocca, CAMS Chief Executive. “It’s yet another example of how women in Australian motor sport are being catered for by their representative body, WAMS. It’s also very pleasing to see that women have real opportunities, not only in motor sport, but in the automotive industry at its broadest level. Anything that can be done to enhance the opportunities for females in these areas, is a good thing and should be applauded.â€
Further details about the alliance and new joint initiatives between WAMS and ASA will be announced at the WAMS 2014 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix Luncheon on Thursday March 13, 2014 at Albert Park. To help launch the partnership, both parties will provide the opportunity for two nominated female apprentices to work with female mechanical scrutineers that very same day.
For further information head to the Women of Australian Motor Sport (WAMS) website www.wams.org.au or Facebook page www.facebook.com/WomenOfAustralianMotorsport.