Joint automotive networking event to celebrate International Women’s Day

• Automechanika Birmingham and Women Automotive Network to host FREE networking event to help fill the skills gap and promote inclusion in the sector

Automechanika Birmingham is joining forces with Women Automotive Network to host a free in-person networking drinks reception on Thursday 7 March, creating a support network for females within the industry and to help to plug the skills shortage by showcasing the progressive nature of the industry.

All automotive professionals are encouraged to attend in celebration of International Women’s Day.

The special event will take place at Tonight Josephine in Birmingham, from 16:00 to 20:00 and will provide an opportunity for attendees to make new connections, while empowering those within the sector, and raising awareness of the diverse opportunities it can offer.

A recent report from the IMI (Institute of the Motoring Industry) predicts that by 2030, 103,000 IMI TechSafe qualified technicians will be needed to work with electric vehicles (EVs), increasing to 124,000 by 2032. However, the adjusted forecast warns of a potential shortfall of 4,500 qualified technicians by 2029, increasing to a significant skills gap of 16,000 by 2032.[1]

Women make up 49 percent of the population, yet only fill 19 percent of automotive roles across all areas of the automotive supply chain. This event is part of Automechanika Birmingham’s commitment to taking practical steps to help with the skills shortage in the industry and champion the sector to dispel misconceptions.[2]

Alex Jones, marketing director at Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham says: “It’s important that we take practical steps to create plans together as an industry and tie in with the IMI’s ‘There’s More to Motor’ campaign, which focuses on improving perceptions of our sector and encouraging professionals to consider it when making their next career move. This will allow us to take the conversation from theory into practice and shine a light on these exiting opportunities within our fast-growing sector.”

According to Business Matters magazine, half of the women they surveyed said they would not consider a career in the motor industry. With a third of women stating that it was never presented as an option to them by their family, school or college.[3]

A recent study from Venson revealed 34 percent of women interviewed, aged between 18 and 24, would consider a job in the automotive sector. However, for older age groups the interest wavers, with just over a quarter (27 percent) of 25–34-year-old women stating they would consider the industry and less than a quarter (23%) of 35–44-year-olds revealing they would contemplate a job in automotive.[4]

Jones adds: "We believe the industry needs to work harder to engage and capture women from an early age to highlight the automotive industry as a choice for females at all ages and skill levels, throughout every aspect of the supply chain, to make it more representative and inclusive. We want to banish the notion that the automotive industry is male-orientated and celebrate some of the fierce females in the industry at all levels to encourage more to join!”

Automechanika Birmingham and Women Automotive Network share a joint passion and vision for bringing more diversity to the industry and busting myths around the sector that have contributed to the shortfall in people.

Stephanie May, commercial director at Women Automotive Network adds: "The industry is reporting the highest level of vacancies it has seen for years, yet despite positive steps in the right direction, with many female powerhouses making great strides in leadership roles and beyond, we believe more needs to be done to create equal representation and the maximise the brilliant opportunities available.

“We live in a diverse world. Greater diversity in organisations goes hand in hand with improved cognitive thinking and decision making, which drives better commercial results and a more inclusive culture. Our vision is to help shape a more all-encompassing industry, celebrate others in the sector and encourage more females to join. We look forward to meeting you all soon!”

Tickets for the joint venture are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Drinks and nibbles will be provided. You can register for a free ticket here.

Women Automotive Network is also hosting a global, virtual meetup to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8thMarch, with an inspirational line-up of industry leaders, looking to encourage the industry to rally together and propel their careers and the sector to new heights. To register to attend, and to view the full agenda, please visit here.

To find out more about Automechanika Birmingham visit here and the Women Automotive Network here.