Sophie-Jo Forsythe from S J Fitting Services has been awarded the Leading Edge scholarship (valued at $3490), and Maud-Ellen Berge, from SEQ Campers the Executive Ready scholarship (valued at $8490) in the 2024 Auto Women Scholarships.
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) announcement, supported by Spirit Super and Women & Leadership Australia, is of the first-round recipients of the scholarships which helps females in early-career and mid-level positions from across the automotive industry advance their careers through two fully funded, high-impact training programs.
The first course, Leading Edge, is designed to assist females in early-career positions transition into confident, capable, and motivated leaders.
Recipent Sophie-Jo Forsythe is a leading hand at S J Fitting Services, Rubyvale.
A qualified light vehicle mechanic, Forsythe is committed to promoting diversity and empowering women to thrive in a traditionally male-dominated automotive industry.
By undertaking the Leading Edge course, she hopes to gain comprehensive leadership training to support her ambition of becoming a role model for women and underrepresented cohorts in the automotive industry and pave the way for those entering the workforce.
“Being the recipient of this scholarship means a lot to me,” says Forsythe.
“It will help me to develop the necessary skills and knowledge on how to be able to contribute further to my trade and the people I work with and to be able to exceed expectations of being a leading hand and knowing how to correctly communicate and manage tasks that may be thrown my way and delegated to me.”
The second course, Executive Ready, is designed to stretch mid-level leaders and propel them towards executive-level positions, bolstering their skills and mindsets. Maud-Ellen Berge, the general manager at SEQ Campers, Nambour, is the recipient.
With five years’ experience in the retail industry, including the last two years as general manager at SEQ Campers, Berge is keen to complete the Executive Ready course to expand her leadership credentials and deliver growth in her career.
“I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded this scholarship for the Executive Ready course,” she says.
“As the general manager at SEQ Campers, Sunshine Coast, I’ve spent the last two years working diligently to drive our company forward, drawing on my five years of experience in the industry.
“This course represents a pivotal opportunity for me to enhance my leadership skills and strategic thinking, equipping me to better lead our team and also contribute to my future goals and aspirations,” says Berge.
“I’m excited about the challenge and the growth this course will bring. By expanding my leadership credentials through the Executive Ready program, I aim to leverage new insights and techniques to propel myself -and women in the industry- to new heights. I look forward to applying the knowledge gained to inspire our team, foster innovation, and achieve significant milestones.”
The next scholarship round opens September 1, 2024.
Click here for more information.
