Women in Automotive is embarking on a new era of growth under new leadership and immediate national expansion.
The now independently-run Women in Automotive will overhaul its corporate identity and membership offering as it campaigns to combat inequalities and lack of opportunity for women and non-binary individuals in one of Australia’s largest industries.
“Women continue to be underpaid and underrepresented in the Australian Automotive Industry, from apprenticeships to boardrooms,” Women in Automotive director Rachel Reed-Butler says.
“When women find a place, studies by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency have shown that the gender gap in total remuneration is still around 19%”.
Rachel Reed-Butler says the automotive industry has improved in recent years, but more work needs to be done to make it truly inclusive.
“The Australian Automotive Industry has taken great strides in transitioning from its male-dominated roots into a more inclusive and supportive career choice for all Australians, but we’ve only seen the first steps.”
Reed-Butler is part of a three-strong leadership team that took Women in Automotive’s reins from the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) on March 1, 2024. The leadership team includes motoring journalist Nadine Armstrong and TV and motorsport presenter Kate Peck.
Established by the VACC in 1999, Women in Automotive celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2024.
The organisation reaches 10,500 people through its various platforms and touchpoints and has plans to grow this number considerably, starting with a national expansion of its membership base and events calendar.
Reed-Butler says it was a natural decision to take over Women in Automotive.
Armstrong and Peck have been integral contributors for the last seven years under VACC stewardship, and together with Reed-Butler, they have decades of automotive industry experience across the media, retail, manufacturing, and insurance sectors.
“We know first-hand the challenges that women face in this vibrant and growing industry, and we’ve seen how fostering collaboration, education, and networking can provide the support necessary to overcome these challenges,” Reed-Butler says.
She says Women in Automotive would not be ready for expansion without the VACC’s backing over the last 25 years.
“Without the VACC’s commitment to date, Women in Automotive would not be where we are today, and we thank them for their efforts. We also thank them for entrusting us with the future of Women in Automotive.”
Reed-Butler says the leadership team is committed to growing Women in Automotive’s reach and influence as it transitions from a Victorian-focused organisation into a national body supporting female and non-binary individuals working or seeking work in the automotive industry.
“We’re going to accelerate everything: networking, educational events and seminars, member collaboration, and more industry and expert guidance so that Australia’s Automotive Industry becomes a beacon of inclusivity on a national scale,” she says.
Women in Automotive’s updated 2024 events calendar and member benefits expansion will be released in the second quarter of 2024.
Individuals can sign up for free to be a member of Women in Automotive by clicking through the Womeninautomotive.com.au website. Companies or organisations wishing to partner with Women in Automotive should email hello@womeninautomotive.com.au
