First for industry launched
Women in Automotive New Zealand is today launching a first for the industry in this country.
The Women in Automotive Accord aims to increase the proportion of females from 17 to 30 per cent of the sector’s workforce by 2030.
Businesses in the industry are being encouraged to sign up to the accord to collectively help achieve the goals, which include growing the number of women in senior leadership positions.
Natasha Callister, co-founder of Women in Automotive, says: “To make a significant and lasting impact, we needed to craft a mechanism for bringing organisations on the journey and for measuring collective progress across the industry. The accord is our framework for that.”
Companies signing up to the accord will commit to seven principles aimed at creating diverse, inclusive workplaces that attract, retain and grow top female talent.
“It’s well-established that a more diverse workforce has many benefits, not least to the bottom line,” adds Callister, pictured above.
This is a sentiment shared by Chanelle McDonald, general manager for passenger vehicles at Volkswagen NZ. She says: “Females bring unique traits to the workplace that can help drive engagement, open-mindedness and collaboration.
“Being a woman in automotive, or any industry for that matter, allows a whole new way of thinking, which is a catalyst for innovation. With diversity in a workplace, whether gender or cultural, it drives businesses to unlock their full potential.”
As well as living up to the seven principles, signatories will be required to report and present their progress at an annual automotive accord summit.
Women in Automotive will help signatories develop an action plan and provide tips and support along the way. Fees to sign up to the accord are tiered to reflect the size of a company.
Callister says: “That means any business, from a multi-national to a mum-and-dad operation, can play a part in driving positive change and can learn from what’s working in other businesses.” The accord has been made possible thanks to foundation sponsor Custom Fleet.
Female success story
Kyla Raututi, pictured below, is a branch manager at SIXT Auckland City, which is a franchise owned and operated by the Giltrap Group. She features in the “success stories” section of Women in Automotive’s website.
When asked what her role responsibilities include, she says: “I oversee and co-ordinate the operations of the branch managing resources and staff, lead the day-to-day responsibilities and assist with service to ensure overall customer satisfaction.
“I oversee reports for budgets and create plans and forecasts that are built to fit future needs. I also work to grow business and customer acquisition."
Raututi’s career in the industry began when she was hired as a customer service representative for a rental company.
“I walked in and all I had was a basic knowledge of cars. After some time in the industry, my understanding of the logistics and workings of cars started to expand. I could now talk about and sell my product with the knowledge I attained.
“Gradually, I gravitated toward the operational side of the business, which took a few years of work, but I remained adaptable and developed a dynamic skillset that got me to where I am today.
“It’s an amazing feeling engaging with people about any and everything automotive-related, and to see how enthused they can be. I love meeting new people. I love to create excitement for customers and individuals, but also creating experiences.”
Women in Automotive is a working group comprising of NZME’s Driven Car Guide, the Motor Trade Association, Motor Industry Association, MITO Te Pukenga, the Collision Repair Association, Natasha Callister and Amanda Wood. To find out more, visit womeninautomotive.nz.
