Goodwood Festival of Speed

As we look forward to International Women’s Day, Vuslat ODABAŞI, Tire Development Engineer at Bugatti Rimac, has shared her thoughts on the positive developments in diversity and inclusion within the automotive sector.

1) What steps do you think are necessary to encourage more women to pursue careers in the automotive sector?

It begins with self-belief that you should have a seat at the table in this industry, and of course it goes without saying that women certainly do. However, it is up to the industry to do more to ensure that women feel comfortable in taking those first steps and are encouraged to do so. More widely, confidence is the catalyst; once it takes root, success follows. Rather than waiting for opportunities, create them.

2) There is a vast range of skill sets required within the automotive sector. Can you discuss these and how to foster a broader pool of entrants and applicants for these roles?

I always emphasize being open to learning and continual improvement. While the automotive sector demands high soft and hard skills, lacking them initially shouldn’t be a deterrent to joining our industry. Time management, communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills can be acquired through seminars or online courses and these are skills that absolutely anyone, from any background can learn and exceed in. For hard skills, a degree alone may not suffice but there is always room to explore your options and delve deeper into related topics and skills. Both skill sets necessitate a passion for improvement and goal attainment and provide important foundations for a career in this exciting industry and beyond.

3) Have you observed any specific initiatives or practices that have effectively promoted diversity and inclusion in the workplace within this sector?

Numerous “Women in Engineering” portals have emerged which is really encouraging. Companies are organising more seminars, meet-ups, scholarships, courses, and events, introducing successful individuals from within the automotive industry to girls from primary school up to university. Companies and universities worldwide are becoming more and more active in inviting passionate individuals to share opportunities, inspire, instill hope, and ignite enthusiasm within the sector.

4) Have you noticed any notable shifts or improvements in the diversity and gender diversity landscape of the automotive industry in recent years? If so, what factors do you believe contributed to these changes?

There have definitely been improvements, but there is a very long way to go with less than a quarter of engineers being female. Positively, in recent years, social media has played a pivotal role. Previously, reserved women have found courage in the experiences shared by other women, realising that climbing the professional ladder within the automotive sector is more achievable than originally perceived.