Australasian bus and coach operator Kinetic has appointed Ashleigh Belteky for a newly created apprentice pathway – a lead role in its Melbourne workshop.
Kinetic says the newly created national role will be central in delivering a program which is expected to be launched in the coming months. It will support apprentices, drive a culture of continuous improvement and achieve more diversity across the broader business.
The new role for Belteky comes after she was named as a finalist in the national Empowered Womens in Trades (EWIT) awards in the exceptional human skills category, with the awards to be held on February 23.
Kinetic says EWIT is helping reshape the trades industry, boost diversity and dismantle traditional barriers.
Belteky says a key attractor to the role was Kinetic’s commitment to reach gender equality across all areas of its business by 2023.
“I’m passionate about attracting more women into our workshops,” Belteky says.
“The work we do every day brings together our hands and our brains to solve problems. That’s why diversity is so important in teams because it brings different perspectives to problem solving.
“My advice is put your hand up and try. You’re only going to find out if you like it if you try, but you have nothing to lose.”
Kinetic says an example of an apprentice putting their hand up and trying has been Sascha Caeli, who currently works at its electric bus depot in Caloundra.
Caeli says since entering the second year of her apprenticeship, each day has been rewarding and challenging.
“Having a hands-on role is something I really enjoy, and the workshop team have been really supportive,” Caeli says.
“Every day I am learning something new and it is great to know I will have skills and a qualification for life that can take me all over Australia.
“I would definitely recommend a career as a mechanic to any women who is considering it, and it is nice to see Kinetic is establishing programs to support more apprentices.”
With a focus on transitioning to zero-emissions buses (ZEBs) by 2035, Kinetic says it is partnering with accredited training institutions to ensure apprentices are equipped with the necessary maintenance skills to maintain a high-quality electric fleet.
Belteky says investing in the learning and development of apprentices throughout their apprenticeship is essential to developing skilled tradespeople who can work anywhere in the world.
“It’s an exciting time to be in the trades industry,” Belteky says.
“Technology is changing and the industry is getting more complex with more electric components, so a big part of this role will be investing and nurturing new talent in our workshops to equip our apprentices for the jobs of the future.”