Automotive 30% Club: helping women get ahead in the automotive industry
The winners of the Automotive 30% Club Inspiring Automotive Women Awards 2022 will be announced In October, and Enterprise has a number of women in contention. But what is the Automotive 30% Club and what role does it play in our industry.
DRIVE caught up with Communications Manager Sophie Oak to find out more about her role and why she would encourage Enterprise women to become involved with the Automotive 30% Club, of which Enterprise is now a Silver Member.
Sophie Oak, Communications Manager, Automotive 30% Club
“It is so important to ensure that others know about opportunities in the automotive sector because there are so many options. Enterprise is a great example of this!”
Sophie, you’ve been with the Automotive 30% Club for four years. What motivated you to work for an organisation that drives change in the automotive sector?
“I’d always had an interest in the automotive sector. I never saw the barriers, perhaps because my dad worked in construction which is another male-oriented industry, and he was always an inspiration to me.
“I had just left school and while I was encouraged to go to full time university, I knew full-time study wasn’t for me. It was one of the reasons why I hadn’t done A levels and went on to do Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. A degree apprenticeship appealed to me, and I secured a place on the Chartered Management scheme at Sheffield Hallam.
“I liked that I was on a management pathway right from the start of my career. I met the Automotive 30% Club at a careers fair, and I started the day before my 18th birthday. Now that I’ve finished my Degree Apprenticeship, I’ve become the full-time Communications Manager for the Club.”
What was it like doing your Degree Apprenticeship during Covid?
“It completely changed how we worked. I started as an Events Manager, but then moved into communications because all our events quickly became virtual. My degree cohort was interesting because there was a mix of age groups – only about 10 of us were the typical university age and some were in their 50s. It was great to be with people who had very different experiences, and we all helped one another.”
What motivates you most about your role at the Automotive 30% Club?
“One of the key things is that we are all about creating opportunities for young people. Most young people and graduates don’t realise the variety of jobs and the range of career opportunities available within the automotive sector. The realisation that came to me was the things that I didn’t get told, the feeling of being railroaded into A levels, then to university because my grades were good, even though I’m not hugely academic.
“For me it is so important to ensure that others know about opportunities in the automotive sector because there are so many options. Enterprise is a great example of this! Graduate programmes, apprenticeships, internships, graduate apprenticeships – there are so many
pathways.”
“We are proud of the fact that we have so many men in our network, because this is rare for inclusion networks”
What are your impressions of the automotive sector as a career destination for women?
“What I’ve observed is that people join and stay in automotive for a long time. I think this is very rare today. Enterprise is also a good example of this, and it’s important people see the potential for a lifelong career, if that’s what they choose. Whenever I speak to people there is always something new and different, even being in one sector and in the same role can be different all of the time, especially because the sector is changing so fast and adapting.”
Tell us about Automotive 30% Club. What do you do and what are some of the main focus areas?
“We are a voluntary network of inclusive leaders (CEOs and MDs) from all sides of automotive including retail, supply, manufacturing, and all the supply chain. Our purpose is to achieve gender balance and specifically 30% of leadership positions to be filled by women by 2030. It’s not a quota, it’s a KPI to monitor progress against, and 30% is the tipping point at which group dynamics change so that the majority no longer fully dominates. We are now 66 members of which 61 are male. We are proud of the fact that we have so many men in our network, because this is rare for inclusion networks, particularly those campaigning for female representation. We bring together inclusive leaders who are dedicated to driving the change, supporting and advocating for women.
“Young people have a big part to play. I would encourage Enterprise employees at all levels to get on board with this outreach if they are interested. It’s never too early to start”
How would you advise women who are thinking of working in automotive or who have just started in the sector?
"Come and join us! There is a job for everyone in automotive, and our member companies are creating workplaces where women will thrive and rise to senior positions. Many of our member companies have created Women’s Networks which discuss anything from menopause to workplace progression etc. There are inclusivity networks, events, magazines, mentoring and wider activities in place to help women get the most from their career. I’d encourage women to speak to their managers and colleagues to see what’s in place for them, and come up with suggestions if they feel anything is missing."
“Women can become more involved by reading our Inspiring digital magazine, and attending our Super-Network zoom calls. I encourage you to follow our activities on social media media and spread the word about the Club.”
How much work experience do you need to be involved in the Club as a volunteer?
“Young people have a big part to play. I would encourage Enterprise employees at all levels to get on board with this outreach if they are interested. It’s never too early to start! I always tell people that they know more than they think they do. It’s so much easier to identify with someone who is closer to you in age, so there is an opportunity to inspire other people, even if you’re only a little way into your career. We say ‘if you can see it, you can be it.’ We are a very diverse country, and we want to see that reflected in the automotive workforce so everyone feels like they can be a part.”
If you are interested in a career with Enterprise, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk
