Now is the perfect time to pursue a career in automotive

TAFE NSW Automotive apprentice Rachel Eade-Shea is encouraging other females to consider a career in the automotive industry.  
The 20-year-old is a second-year apprentice studying Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology at TAFE NSW Hornsby after securing a coveted apprenticeship at Porsche Willoughby. 
Rachel said she had explored more traditional career pathways before ultimately pursuing a mechanic apprenticeship.  
“I didn’t grow up around cars, and I had zero experience with them, but I’d always been fascinated with how they worked. So, my family just about fell over when I told them I wanted to be a mechanic, they considered it such a left-field career choice,” Rachel said.  
“But I love it, I learn something new every day, and I like the hands-on practical elements and the challenges of problem-solving. The industry is constantly evolving and advancing in technology which means I’ll always be learning something new.”  
As the only female in her class, Rachel says she is grateful for the supportive learning environment at TAFE NSW.  
“Class is just business as usual. I love how the teachers share their industry experiences in class so we can put the theory and skills we learn into real-world situations, giving it context to build our understanding,” Rachel said.  
“My advice to other women interested in pursuing a career in a male-dominated trade is to push for what you want, work hard, and don’t give up on your passion.”  
TAFE NSW Head Teacher in Automotive, Richard Leach, said now is the perfect time to pursue a career in automotive, with the Australian automotive industry forecast to employ more than 287,000 people by 2025.  
“There is a diverse range of job roles available in the automotive industry, including light automotive, electric and heavy vehicles,” Richard said.
“At TAFE NSW, we train students using the latest technology to gain the hands-on skills they need to hit the ground running in the workshop.  
“Female mechanics represent only one percent of the workforce, and we’re seeing more female students, like Rachel, take advantage of the strong demand for workers to support our critical supply chain industry.”  

To find out more about studying automotive at TAFE NSW, call 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au