Emma Gilmour new MITO ambassador

Rallying ace, McLaren Extreme E driver and Suzuki car dealer Emma Gilmour is the latest member of the motorsport fraternity to be named as an ambassador for MITO.

Along with being a popular fixture in the New Zealand Rally Championship, Gilmour is also McLaren’s first female race driver, having joined McLaren’s Extreme E squad this season.

Gilmour also runs Gilmour Motors Suzuki in Dunedin.

MITO provides on-the-job learning for those wanting to forge a career in the automotive and commercial road transport trade, as well as those pursuing the likes of mining and drilling.

Some 4000 people have taken up the programme, which supports 3000 employers, and maintains more than 70 industry training programmes.

It’s hoped that Gilmour’s appointment as an ambassador can help encourage more young people and women to pursue careers in the trade.

“I’m really excited about becoming a MITO Ambassador. Cars have been my life. I haven’t known any different since a very young age. My dad’s a mechanic and my grandad also,” says Gilmour.

“I love the automotive trade. I just think it’s such a fun and exciting career that people can have and I’m really excited to be able to showcase that and hopefully educate, help and inspire more people to take up the trade.”

“Emma is a big advocate for women in the trades, demonstrating how far a job in the automotive industry can take you and we are very excited to work together to increase the perceived value of a career in the automotive industry,” adds MITO.

“MITO will be working with Emma to engage the youth and women who are interested in automotives and want to pursue a career in the industry.”