“My proudest Lookers achievement so far is the rebuild of an engine I did on an Astra K last year. Although this has been the biggest challenge in my career, it’s also what I’m most proud of. Lookers let you put your abilities to the test and allow your skill set to flourish, which is one of the main things I love about working here,” said Hayley Pearson, Technician from Lookers St Helens Vauxhall.
Hayley is one of many engineers around the world whose accomplishments are being celebrated on International Women in Engineering Day, 23rd June 2018. The sphere of automotive technology and engineering is expanding and developing at a lickety-split rate, as well as a wide range of new opportunities across the sector. With this, it’s important that we inspire, encourage and steer women in the right direction within their role.
Developing careers and relationships
At Lookers we support women across the business, from apprentices through to senior leaders and as such, we are part of the Automotive 30 Percent Club, an initiative to have 30 percent of senior leadership positions in the automotive industry filled by women by 2030. After establishing a relationship with educational charity Speakers for Schools last year, we offered a week-long placement to a student from a local school and earlier this year, we launched our Lookers Female Apprentice Network.
“I enjoyed meeting other female apprentices, getting to know them and learning about how we can support each other. Lookers is keen to support female apprentices across the business and I could really feel that in the welcome that I had,” expressed Network member, Kirsty Pickering from Newcastle Audi.
An inclusive workforce
Our inclusive workforce with equal opportunities aims to attract high-calibre candidates to apply for our technical roles, and we offer thorough training and knowledge-building opportunities.
Amy Stone, Apprentice Technician from Lookers VW Morden, reports on the inclusive essence of Lookers: “From interview stage right through to my first day, I felt entirely at ease in the workshop. Lookers let me share in learning with other apprentices and I like the fact we can build bonds within our own dealership, and across others. The Female Apprentice Network meet-ups provide fresh insights into our role, the industry and the world of motorsports. Last time, we met at Pirelli and brushed up on the tyre-making process.”
Thinking ahead…
Our commitment to an inclusive workplace offers women strong career development opportunities and the chance to excel in their chosen field. Our industry leading maternity leave policy also contributes to the initiative, as it allows women to spend the valuable time they need with their child, without it having an impact on their career.
What’s next…
The second and upcoming Female Apprentice Network get-together will see BMW Service Manager, Samantha Leese, deliver a talk about her experience in the automotive sector. What are her nuggets of wisdom for women just starting out in the industry? She said: “Your gender does not play a part in your success; your success is down to you. At the same time as working hard, be punctual, reliable and respectful and opportunities will crop up.”
We couldn’t agree more!
Find out more about International Women in Engineering Day on the website and on social media through the hashtag #INWED18.
