Painting their way to success - women step up to skills challenge
There is a significant gender bias within most occupations in the automotive retail sector with men outnumbering women in almost all occupations. Women make up the majority of workers only in administrative and secretarial roles where they account for 70% of workers. In an initiative designed to address this, six women took part in a ground breaking challenge designed to encourage females to consider more technical roles within the industry.
At an event run by Southgate College, in partnership with the IMI and supported by automotive paint suppliers the Morelli Group, six women from different employment sectors took part in a paint spraying course which was designed to highlight the skills required to work in an automotive bodyshop. Some of the tasks undertaken included; masking techniques, polishing and paint formulation and mixing.
The event was supported by local MP, Nick de Bois who also joined the trainees (pictured). Commenting on the day, Nick said: "I congratulate Southgate College and the IMI for working so hard to put this imitative together. By highlighting the spray painting skills required for the automotive body shop industry and in particular the opportunity for women, they have shown what a fulfilling and rewarding career woman can have as well as men in this industry. It was a very successful day and great fun."
One of the female trainees was Alivia Paver who currently works as a Business Development Manager for the Stoneacre Group. Speaking about the event, Alivia said: "I am sure that many of us are ignorant of the dedication to detail and the skill that is required to produce the end result. Talent in this area is often overlooked, but I can understand why those that carry out this role have so much job satisfaction, and pride in their work."
Andrew Moring, Marketing Director for the Morelli Group said: "In over 20 years of working for Morelli Group I have only seen a handful of female productives, a more male dominated trade would be hard to find yet there is no real reason why women should not be able to do the job as has been proven today by the ladies taking part in this challenge. It is great to see Southgate College taking the initiative to highlight this issue and for Nick de Bois to support the event, Morelli Group are fully behind the need to increase female interest in bodyshop jobs."
The IMI continues to actively promote the Women and Work funding programme. Now in its fourth phase, the scheme is designed to encourage employers in England to take advantage of the opportunity to receive funding towards the cost of developing the skills of women in our industry.
To find out more about the Women & Work initiative or to arrange for an IMI representative to visit, please contact Nicola Hayes at the IMI on 01992 511521 or email www.motor.org.uk
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