In recent years, the automotive sector’s interest in LGBT+ representation has increased rapidly, with many manufacturers celebrating pride events, and high profile LGBT+ figures such as racing driver Charlie Martin and The Grand Tour driver Abbie Eaton coming into the public eye. With more people identifying as LGBT+ than ever before, this shift towards a more inclusive industry makes not just moral sense, but business sense too.
February is LGBT+ history month and as such we’ve been focusing on engaging with our LGBT+ Learners, educating ourselves and ensuring the automotive industry is a sector that’s welcoming to all.
Ford’s LGBT+ network, GLOBE, has chapters (aptly) across the world, showing the company’s clear commitment to an inclusive workplace which celebrates its employees. Closer to home, Skillnet has recently set up its first ever network aiming to support and encourage Learners who are members of the LGBT+ community. The LGBT+ working group met for the first time last month and we spoke to some of its members to find out a bit more…
So first off, why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
“Ford’s morals sit well with my morals. We’ve got the ford truths: the main one being put people first. Putting customers first but putting other employees first too. Other ones are play to win, be curious… [I like] working for a company that cares about their employees and is doing things that actually help the wider community. Like at the beginning of the pandemic they started manufacturing masks!”
“I come from quite a mechanical background. My dad had a passion in mechanics as well. My dad and I used to go to the scrapyard and treat it like a car show. It used to have a mix of old and new cars. We walked past this car – it’s a Mazda MX-5 Mk1 – a little convertible. So at aged 13 I bought a £295 car and then did it up. It ran for 5 years and now I’m doing a full engine rebuild in my garage. At the moment there are engine parts in my mum’s bathroom! I’ve always liked the Fords. I thought I’d really like to work there.”
What’s it like being LGBT+ at work? Is it a comfortable place to be?
“I don’t experience [immaturity] in the office. There is an allies network. But if you were to ask somebody that I work with what sexuality I was, they’d probably say straight. It’s that kind of assumption that I would be interested in somebody or not. [Lack of education] is a general problem. There’s some resistance towards this kind of thing. It just confuses people. It’s more of a societal thing than a company thing.”
“I’m not particularly bothered by [not being out at work]. The environment is really friendly and most [people] I think would not be bothered. I refer to my girlfriend as “my partner” and people at work will instantly assume and ask about my “boyfriend”. Sometimes that gets me a little bit… they’re obviously not thinking that that’s an option.”
So what can we do, as a sector and as individuals, to make sure the industry is a place where everyone can be open and supported?
“Something I’ve noticed is that it’s not the support not being there, its knowing where to go to get the support. There are so many groups and meetings and I feel bombarded with all the stuff that’s going on. One thing that you could do to support LGBT+ people is (on arrival), say hi we’ve got these working groups. Come along and see how you feel.”
“It’d be nice to hear if people said “what does your boyfriend or girlfriend do”. At least then you know that instantly they are okay with it.”
Hopefully the new working group has helped with this. How are you finding it?
“I’m really liking just being around like-minded people and speaking to people I wouldn’t normally speak to at the company. And working from home I’m not seeing anybody and this is something different!”
“Before I knew absolutely no one that was LGBT+. It’s nice to have that now and it’s nice to talk to somebody else about cars. It’s nice to see that Skillnet are making an effort to push it in the industry a bit more.”
Obviously your focus right now is your apprenticeship, but can you tell us a bit about your long term goals?
“I’d love to go into engineering at some point because that’s where my heart lies. I don’t have any solid plans yet – I might end up being an amazing project manager and that’s where I’ll stay. My overall goal is just to make the environment around myself a more welcoming environment for people who don’t really feel like they can fit in or do belong – making it a bit more obvious that they do. That’s my ultimate goal.”
“I’d like to do a degree. But I’d like to stay on the shop floor for as long as possible and stay involved for as long as possible.”
And finally… tell us about your favourite car!
“I’m biased towards my fiesta. They’re great cars. They’ve got loads of space, you can see out the back window perfectly and it’s a nice little car… and they do it in a nice lilac colour.”
“MKII GT40 is an awesome car. I’ve seen one at Ford heritage and there was one at the track not too long ago as well. They look sick and sound awesome. People make kit cars of them.”
A massive thanks to the Learners who spoke to us this month. We’re incredibly proud of all our working group members and grateful for your contribution to this blog!
The group’s main focus right now is the upcoming #LGBTeaBreak on 26th February. We’re asking everyone to take 10 minutes to have a cup of tea, talk about how you can make sure your working environment is an open, productive and supportive place and to learn something about the LGBT+ community. We’ll be sharing some fantastic resources to help start this conversation. To show your support for our LGBT+ community, join us on the 26th by sending us a photo of you on your #LGBTeaBreak (send to carolann.whitney-maddocks@skillnet.training) or share them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn with the hashtag #LGBTeaBreak.