The Motor Trades Association of the ACT (MTA ACT) has reinforced its commitment to supporting the automotive industry on the ground, hosting its first member event in Canberra this week, focused on workforce challenges and increasing female participation.
Held at East Hotel, the event brought together more than 70 attendees, including MTA ACT members, industry partners, apprentices and key stakeholders. The evening featured updates across policy and advocacy, regulatory developments, and training initiatives, alongside insights into recent Federal and ACT submissions impacting the sector.
A key focus of the event was addressing the industry’s ongoing skills shortage, with a panel discussion exploring both workforce challenges and the gender gap in automotive apprenticeships.
MTA ACT General Manager - Memberships, Jason Steporowski, said the event demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to engaging directly with industry and delivering practical solutions.
“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,” Mr Steporowski said.
“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.”
Speakers included local business leader and Women in Automotive Change Ambassador, Raffy Sgroi, alongside Suzanne Sayers from John McGrath, and the Women in Automotive Apprentice Award winner, Jennifer Smyth, showcasing emerging industry talent.
The 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, including skills shortages and the need to attract more women into automotive careers.
According to Ms Peck, 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 said.
“Partnerships like this with MTA ACT are critical to creating pathways, supporting apprentices and changing perceptions about careers in automotive,” added Ms Reed-Butler.
MTA ACT said it will continue to work closely with industry, government and partners to address workforce challenges and support a more diverse and sustainable automotive sector.