Natalie Kennett - Commercial Lead
What makes you proudest as a woman working within the automotive industry?
"I joined the automotive industry through an undergraduate placement year 12 years ago. The industry has been labelled as male-dominated in the past, but I think that this has improved, as more women have been attracted to work in the industry, and having visibility of a diverse workforce will continue to dispel the previous stereotypes and attract new talent."
What makes you proudest as a woman working within the automotive industry?
"Over my career at Vauxhall, I have been supported and encouraged to take on a variety of jobs. I began in Network Development and have since worked with Retailer Investments in Motors Holding, Retail Sales, Commercial Financing, Marketing Programmes, and am currently Head of Commercial for Vauxhall. I have had the opportunity to work with many different people in these roles, and I have acquired a wide variety of knowledge and skills. The business also supported me in achieving a distinction in my Masters in Business Administration which I studied for alongside working."
What advice would you give to young women entering the automotive industry?
"The automotive industry has been characterised as being male-dominated in the past, but I believe that has changed as more women are being drawn to work in it. The automotive industry is an exciting place to work and increasing diversity is a good thing, after all 85% of car buying decisions are influenced by women. The industry is changing fast and increasing diversity will continue to break down preconceived notions and draw in fresh talent.”
Matilda Kwaku - HR Placement Student at Luton Plant
What excited you to choose your placement in automotive?
"What excited me about selecting a placement in the automotive industry is the range of skills I'd be able to gain and apply throughout life. It is interesting to see the sector evolve and grow constantly, whilst witnessing it first-hand which means each day never feels stagnant."
What are some of the ways you feel Vauxhall empowers women?
"Vauxhall actively and constantly encourages women to join the automotive industry, as they believe there is just as much room, if not more, for women within this sector of work. Whilst working here, I have seen that meeting spaces have been provided as an outlet for women to express how they feel and where the business can improve from these opinions. It is regularly promoted that equality is a key part of Vauxhall's values, and they continuously wish to encourage women to work upwards within their careers through extra training, mentorship, and sponsorship programs, and combat the stereotypes attached to women joining the industry."
How would you encourage more women to come and work for Vauxhall?
"I would encourage more women to work at Vauxhall by providing my experience, as well as regularly promoting the benefits of the job role and all that can be gained as a result of working within such an invigorating industry. Furthermore, I would push the need for mentorship, so that women can be aware of the support provided along their job path."
Diane Miller - Ellesmere Port Director
What makes you proudest as a woman working in the automotive industry?
"When I first went for an interview many years ago, I was enthralled to see 60 cars an hour come off the production line. There was a tunnel from Body Shop, and it was awe inspiring to see this line of metal car bodies above my head silently moving to the Paint Shop where they would get their colour and then Final Assembly where the engines, seats and everything else would be added. From then, I was hooked, and it still excites me today when I see us produce a vehicle from sheet metal to final product. I love to show people around because anyone who has not seen it before finds it fascinating almost without exception. As a woman, I am so proud to be part of this industry that continually evolves and can make things happen. Manufacturing for me is such an exciting job with so much variety but it saddens me that we have so few women especially in this sector of the automotive industry."
How much of an impact do you think women will have on the automotive industry in the future?
"Women can make such a difference to the dynamics of a team in a very good way. Any team works better with a diverse make up because creativity and problem-solving are greatly enhanced by sharing different insights. Women think differently so they make different contributions. Women are also often the driving force for decision-making and research on what car is best for a family purchase, so our input to the automotive design and manufacture is critical."
How do you think we can drive more women into the automotive manufacturing sector?
"We need to get to the schools as early as possible. The perception that automotive is a man’s industry is hard to break. As a governor at a school for both boys and girls I said to the head teacher (a man) 6 years ago that we could offer work experience for the students. His reply “the boys would like that “So I also believe it is important to convince the teachers so they can tell girls that it is an option for them too. Part of this is getting teachers in the plant to see what we do here. Ideally, we should look for a strong government initiative to communicate that automotive industry is a good path for women, as well as men, and that way we could have a collective success for the industry. It would be good if government could support with structured programs that encourage women to join the auto industry. We also need to promote work life balance in the workplace, this should be important for all, but women may consider it more. In the past automotive companies may have been guilty of the old boys’ network. Here at Stellantis, our company is proactively looking to give women new opportunities and embrace the difference."
Neve Talbot - Mechatronics Apprentice at Luton Plant
What excited you choose your apprenticeship in the automotive industry?
"I actually attended an event back in 2015 here at the Luton Plant, which was promoting International Women’s Week, where we were showed around the plant and completed some problem-solving group tasks and also individual tasks. That trip opened up a completely new career path that I knew I was interested in pursuing. 5 years later, I applied for maintenance engineering at the plant, and I am now in my third year of my apprenticeship."
How do you feel Vauxhall supports you to grow your career?
"I feel as though I have a strong support system at Vauxhall. If I ever have any problems or issue during work, there’s always somebody I can go to or call for help. "
What advice would you give to other young women entering the automotive industry?
"One piece of advice I would give to any young women who is thinking of entering the automotive industry is to go for it. It can be very daunting starting in a new environment, especially if you are the only female, but you just have to go for it!"