Female Automotive graduates thriving

In what's still largely a male-dominated industry, Dunedin's Cooke Howlison automotive group is proving the value in embracing and supporting women in trades.

Automotive technicians Violet Farrell, Mikayla Denston, and Bobbie Glasier all began their studies with Otago Polytechnic's Automotive Engineering programmes, and are now thriving in the industry.

The trio work at Cooke Howlison’s Toyota and Holden dealerships and are passionate about encouraging other wāhine to “give it a go”.

The women all have one thing in common in their career journeys - all were inspired to get into the industry after growing up around car-loving family members.

Automotive technician and vehicle inspector Violet says her older brother was always working on cars and would often rope her in to help out. Initially hesitant, she quickly grew to enjoy the side projects in their garage.

That early experience stuck with her when she decided it was time for a change of career from her supermarket job, signing up for Otago Polytechnic's pre-trade programme in Automotive Engineering.

(L-R) Cooke Howlison Automotive technicians Mikayla Denston, Violet Farrell, and Bobbie Glasier

Violet has continued her learning journey, adding more qualifications while working fulltime at Cooke Howlison. She recently clocked up almost 9 years of training-in-work with her NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Engineering (Level 5).

Colleague Bobbie Glassier got her love of vehicles from her mechanic father.  As a teenager, the apprentice automotive electrical technician would often find herself at the race track, checking out the action.

"I liked watching them. I just didn't know anything about them," she says.

Bobbie admits to being "incredibly shy" when she first began her apprenticeship, but says having a few female workmates definitely helped reassure her she was in the right place.

"I've always looked up to Violet. Because it was like, wow, someone's where I want to be," she says.

She's now keen to “pay it forward”, helping support other young females coming through the business.  (Cooke Howlison currently has three pre-trade female students from Otago Polytechnic on their team).

"Entering a workplace with so many older men can sometimes be quite daunting and put doubts in your mind,” admits Bobbie.

“Like, I don't know what I'm doing… I don't feel like I belong here."

"But when you've got other female role models in the workplace, it helps reassure you."

For Mikayla Denston, there was no hesitation about her intended career path, and heading into a male-dominated industry didn't faze her at all.

She left high school in year 11 to study at Otago Polytechnic, and was keen to start learning in the workplace.

"A big thing I liked about polytech compared to high school was they treated you like young adults, not like kids."

"We got lots of support and they gave you the push that you needed."

Starting with a level 2 mechanical and engineering course, Mikayla continued into level 3 with work experience at Cooke Howlison's Holden workshop. After impressing the team there, she was taken on full-time while completing her automotive engineering apprenticeship.

Jayden Hall, service manager at Cooke Howlison Toyota Service Manager says the three female technicians are all high achievers - especially with the auto electronics side of the business - and have shown an eagerness to keep on learning.

Jayden says having quality candidates coming through from Otago Polytechnic for work experience is also a great foot in the door, especially as jobs in the industry are back in demand.

"We have a bit of a wait list to be an apprentice here," he admits.

"It's a hot topic again, people want to join the automotive trade. Whereas five years ago you couldn't get anyone."

Tim Wallace, Senior lecturer in Automotive Engineering at Otago Polytechnic, says Cooke Howlison has been leading the way in creating meaningful opportunities for women in the automotive industry.

"By hiring wāhine who've completed the New Zealand Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3) qualification and supporting them as they continue their training through Otago Polytechnic, they’re showing how strong partnerships between industry and education can drive real change."

Otago Polytechnic is also investing in its female learners through a Women in Trades programme, which offers vital support, mentoring, and connection for like-minded women while they study.

Jayden says making the industry more welcoming and inclusive for female workers isn’t just good PR. He believes it’s part of a broader changing of the guard in the industry, helping address a genuine skills shortage as older technicians retire and vehicles become more software-heavy.

And Cooke Howlison’s star technicians are full of encouragement for other women considering the industry as a possible career.

“The job is hard work, but it's worth it,” says Violet.

“Don't be scared. Just give it your all and show that you deserve it. Because we do.”