The Motor Trades Association of the ACT (MTA ACT) has hosted its first member event in Canberra, bringing together more than 70 industry stakeholders to address the automotive sector’s ongoing skills shortage and boost female participation.
The event, held at East Hotel this week, featured MTA ACT members, industry partners, apprentices and key stakeholders in discussions covering policy and advocacy updates, regulatory developments, and training initiatives.
A panel discussion exploring workforce challenges and the gender gap in automotive apprenticeships formed a key component of the evening’s program.
MTA ACT General Manager – Memberships Jason Steporowski says the event demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to engaging directly with industry participants.
“This event is about being on the ground with our members and the broader industry, listening to the challenges they’re facing and working together on solutions,” Steporowski says.
“Addressing the skills shortage is critical to the future of our industry, and increasing female participation is a key part of that. We need to ensure automotive is seen as a viable and rewarding career for everyone.”
Industry leaders showcase emerging talent
Speakers included local business leader and Women in Automotive Change Ambassador Raffy Sgroi, alongside Suzanne Sayers from John McGrath, and Women in Automotive Apprentice Award winner Jennifer Smyth.
The Canberra event followed a series of meetings at Federal Parliament, where MTA Group representatives joined Kate Peck and Rachel Reed-Butler, co-Directors of Women in Automotive (WinA), to engage with ministers on national workforce priorities.
The discussions focused on skills shortages and strategies to attract more women into automotive careers.
Peck says collaboration across industry and government is essential to driving meaningful change.
“There is a significant opportunity to grow female participation in automotive, but it requires a coordinated effort across industry, training and government,” she says.
Reed-Butler says partnerships with organisations like MTA ACT are critical to creating pathways and changing perceptions about automotive careers.
“Partnerships like this with MTA ACT are critical to creating pathways, supporting apprentices and changing perceptions about careers in automotive,” Reed-Butler says.
MTA ACT says it will continue working with industry, government and partners to address workforce challenges and support a more diverse and sustainable automotive sector.
The organisation has represented automotive businesses across the ACT since 1974, supporting new and used vehicle dealers, service and repair workshops, auto electricians, tyre retailers, body repairers and parts dealers.
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