Automechanika Birmingham to host women’s networking event

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.

The special event will take place at Tonight Josephine in Birmingham, from 4pm-8pm and will provide an opportunity for attendees to make new connections while raising awareness of the diverse career opportunities.

Women make up 49% of the population, yet only fill 19% 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.

Alex Jones, marketing director at Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham said: “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.”

She added: “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.”

Stephanie May, commercial director at Women Automotive Network, said: “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.”