Celebrating Women in Automotive WA at the Auto Women Social

Quick Takeaways: WA’s Auto Women Social

• Women are playing an increasingly important role in Western Australia’s automotive industry, with opportunities continuing to grow across automotive trades, technical roles, business ownership, leadership and training.
• MTA WA’s Auto Women Social helps support and empower women in WA’s automotive industry by creating opportunities for networking, professional development, and connection across different stages of their careers.
• The August 2026 event brought together 57 women from across the industry, including apprentices, emerging professionals, business owners, directors and industry leaders.
• Attendees heard career insights and advice from Leonie Knipe and Emma Burgess-Anderson, whose experience spans automotive retail, leadership, business ownership, training and industry engagement.
• This article explores the key moments of the event and why stronger networks, visible role models, and career pathways can help more women enter, develop, and succeed in the automotive industry.

MTA WA’s Auto Women Social brought together 57 women from across Western Australia’s automotive industry to connect, share career experiences and hear from leaders who have built successful careers in the sector. The event highlighted the growing role of women in automotive WA and the importance of networking, mentorship and career development in helping more women enter, succeed and lead across automotive trades and related professions.

Proudly sponsored by The Australian Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) and CareSuper, the event was built around one clear message: Fuelling Ambition – Driving Change. From women starting their first apprenticeship to experienced leaders helping shape the future of the industry, Auto Women Social created an engaging space to share experiences, seek advice, develop professional networks and celebrate success.

Why Women in Automotive WA Matters

The automotive industry has traditionally been male-dominated, but more women are choosing to pursue careers across the sector. Today, opportunities extend well beyond the workshop floor. Women are building rewarding careers as technicians, mechanics, apprentices, service advisors, business owners, trainers, managers and industry leaders.

However, there is still work to do.

Data from MTA WA highlights both the progress being made and the opportunity ahead. The percentage of female students completing training at MTA WA has climbed from below 5% in 2023 to just shy of 10% in 2025, while the percentage of female apprentices employed through MTA WA has doubled over the same period, rising from 5% to 10%. MTA WA has also seen its number of female employees grow, from under 40 in 2023 to almost 50 today. These gains reflect real momentum, but also point to a broader industry challenge: continuing to attract, support and retain more women across automotive trades.

For a female apprentice considering whether automotive is the right fit, representation and access to a strong support network can make a real difference. Seeing women succeed as technicians, leaders and business owners can help challenge outdated perceptions about who belongs in the industry.

Opening the event, MTA WA Group CEO Neil Le Febvre spoke about why empowering women is important to the future of the automotive workforce:

“It is a privilege to be working in the automotive industry at such a transformative time… Traditionally a male-dominated industry, automotive is seeing a growing number of women entering and building successful careers across all areas of the sector. It is important that we continue to create environments where women feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.”

Neil also highlighted the importance of continuing to develop pathways that allow the next generation of women to enter, progress and lead within the automotive industry.

The evening was MC’d by Robyn Cook, Managing Director of Peel Tyre Service and President of MTA WA, who reinforced that Auto Women is designed to be welcoming, purposeful and grounded in genuine connection, regardless of where attendees are in their career.

Women in Automotive Trades: Learning From Those Who Have Led the Way

A key part of the evening was hearing directly from women who have built successful careers in the automotive industry. Attendees heard from two inspiring speakers whose experience spans automotive retail, leadership, training, business ownership and industry engagement.

Leonie Knipe: Breaking New Ground in Automotive

Leonie Knipe, Owner and Dealer Principal of Avon Valley Toyota, Isuzu UTE, Mitsubishi and Nissan, shared insights from a career spent breaking new ground in WA’s automotive industry. Named the 2019 Telstra WA Businesswoman of the Year, Leonie made history as the first female Dealer Principal for Nissan in Western Australia and for Isuzu nationally. As a founding member of Women in Toyota WA, she has also helped create greater visibility for women working across the industry.

Her career is a reminder that success in automotive can take many forms. While some people are drawn to the hands-on experience of diagnostics, servicing and repairs, others pursue careers in leadership, sales, customer experience, business ownership or industry development.

Emma Burgess-Anderson: Helping Shape the Future of Automotive

Emma Burgess-Anderson, Principal Industry Engagement Advisor – Automotive at AUSMASA, brought almost 20 years of experience across automotive retail, training, leadership and stakeholder engagement to the conversation. Having held roles with BMW Group, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, Emma now works to help ensure the automotive industry’s voice contributes to the future of vocational education and training. Her experience provided attendees with insight into how the industry continues to evolve, the challenges facing automotive businesses and technicians, and the importance of developing the skills and pathways needed for the future workforce.

For apprentices and emerging professionals in the room, the opportunity to learn from experienced women who have navigated different career paths offered valuable perspective on where an automotive apprenticeship or first job in the industry can lead.

Hosting Networking Opportunities That Create Connection

Auto Women Social is about more than bringing people together for an evening. By hosting networking opportunities that connect apprentices, emerging professionals, business owners and industry leaders, MTA WA is helping create spaces where conversations can lead to new advice, professional relationships and career opportunities.

For someone just starting out, meeting an experienced technician, mechanic or business owner can provide a different perspective on the industry. For established professionals, sharing their experience can help assist and inspire the next generation. These connections matter, particularly in an industry where women can still face challenges associated with working in a traditionally male-dominated environment.

Support networks, mentoring and visible role models can help women feel more confident pursuing their ambitions, asking questions and continuing to develop throughout their careers. The Auto Women Social reflected the strength of having people from different backgrounds and stages of their careers in the same room, united by a shared vision for a more connected and inclusive automotive industry.

Motivational Events That Help Drive Change

Events such as Auto Women Social provide an opportunity to pause and recognise the people who are helping to shape the automotive industry today.

They also create a space to look ahead.

The future of the automotive industry will continue to require skilled technicians, capable leaders, innovative businesses, and a strong pipeline of people entering automotive jobs and apprenticeships. 

Encouraging more women to join the industry is an important part of building that future. Whether someone has always loved cars, enjoys working with their hands, has an eye for detail, wants hands-on experience, or is interested in leadership and business, the automotive industry can offer a wide range of career pathways. 

Auto Women Social is one way MTA WA is helping bring those possibilities into focus by creating opportunities for women to connect, learn, share advice and celebrate what they can achieve.

Save the Date: The Next Auto Women Social

The next Auto Women Social event will be held on Thursday 12 November at the Royal Perth Yacht Club.

If you’re already working in automotive, pursuing a new opportunity, completing an apprenticeship or considering where a career in the industry could take you, save the date and keep an eye on the MTA WA website and social channels for registration details.

Interested in pursuing a career in automotive?

Explore your career options with MTA WA or find out how to become an apprentice or trainee.

Highlights

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