Push for more women in workforce

Women in Automotive NZ has marked its registration as a charity by releasing two free resources for the sector – a practical hiring guide and workplace self-assessment checklist. 

Both target an industry-wide problem that women make up just 17 per cent of the automotive workforce, and only six per cent in collision repair, at a time when the trade is struggling to fill technical roles.

Motor mechanic and automotive technician roles sit on Immigration NZ’s regional skills-shortage list with diesel motor mechanic on the long-term list. This is a designation the government reserves for occupations local employers cannot fill. 

Separately, recruiting females into retail sales roles is one of the most common challenges reported to Women in Automotive NZ by its accord member organisations.

The shortage isn’t only about supply. It’s about which parts of the industry women can see themselves in. Females buy about 44 per cent of new cars in this country and influence around 85 per cent of household vehicle decisions, but they hold just 17 per cent of jobs. 

“Choosing the best person for the job should always remain the priority,” says Russell Phillips, managing director of Automotive Employment NZ.

“But organisations that are intentional about how they attract, assess and select talent can access a wider and more diverse pool of high-quality candidates. Following recruitment, best practice doesn’t compromise quality. It strengthens it.”

Two free, no-strings tools

Hiring For Gender Diversity is a step-by-step guide covering job ad language, recruitment agency briefs, structured interviewing and what New Zealand employment law does and doesn’t allow employers to ask.

It includes links to a free “gender decoder” tool employers can run any job ad through in less than five minutes.

The Workplace Warrant of Fitness is a 28-point self-assessment covering facilities, PPE and uniform fit, workplace policies, career progression and culture. 

It’s designed as an internal planning tool in that businesses work through it to identify practical improvement priorities with no cost, no consultant and no obligation to publish or share the result.

Since Women in Automotive NZ began, many businesses have told it the same thing – they understand and are right behind the cause. They want more women in their organisations, a more diverse pool of candidates to choose from and to keep the females they do hire, but they’re looking for practical strategies on how to do that. These resources aim to offer clear and workable guidance.

Both resources are free to access at womeninautomotive.nz/employers/. No membership or sign-up required.