From Trail Riding to Trailblazing
Ashleigh Telford, a forklift technician at AB Equipment, is forging her own path in the automotive industry.
Growing up around four-wheel drives and motorbikes, Ashleigh naturally gravitated toward the automotive world. Eager to learn how to repair the vehicles she loved, she enrolled in a pre-trade course, and it didn’t take long for her to realise she had found where she was meant to be. “I wanted to be able to fix things myself, so I did my pre-trade course and loved it. After coming out of that, I decided this is what I want to do.”
Ashleigh joined AB Equipment from another workshop, where she was doing unpaid work experience two days a week. Immediately impressed with her motivation and ability, the company quickly offered her an apprenticeship, and she has since gone from strength to strength.
Upon completing her New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering, Ashleigh became the first female apprentice to achieve the qualification in its entirety through AB Equipment. While she doesn’t dwell on the magnitude of this accomplishment, both she and her employer take great pride in her achievement and its wider impact. “I do what I do because I love it, but I know everyone's super proud of me and what I have achieved. But I would love to help other women get into the trade as well.”
While the automotive industry remains heavily male-dominated, Ashleigh has found strong support from her colleagues and AB Equipment as a whole. “I have had amazing support from my workmates and AB Equipment. I can be who I am, and I can ask questions at any time.”
In addition to the backing of her workmates and employer, Ashleigh spoke highly of the support she received from MITO throughout her studies. She made special mention of her Training Advisor, Brian Scott, whom she described as a vital resource along the way. “MITO has been great, especially the support from my training advisor. He's always made it clear that he's only a phone call away, and he's proved to be just that.”
With aspirations of moving into a leadership position, Ashleigh is showing no signs of slowing down. After being awarded a MITO Business Scholarship in 2024, she recently began working towards the New Zealand Certificate in Business (First Line Management). “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to get something else under my belt. I think something good will come of it, as I do see myself in a leadership position in the future.”
Ashleigh’s journey is one of passion, perseverance, and breaking new ground. Through hard work and a willingness to learn, she has carved out a path for herself and hopes her story will inspire other women to do the same. “You can do anything you want. Do some work experience and get a feel for what you might be doing. I did work experience, and after seeing what the industry was like, I thought it was the best thing in the world.”
