THE Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) has appointed Emma Burgess-Anderson as principal industry engagement advisor, Automotive. 

She has been promoted to the new role after more than 17 years of experience in automotive.   

Ms Burgess-Anderson started in the workshop as an apprentice technician before moving into leadership and training roles at Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

She has held sales roles with Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, was product training manager at Nissan Australia, and later sales and product trainer and non-technical training manager at BMW Group. 

In her new role, she leads AUSMASA’s strategic engagement across the automotive sector, building relationships with industry, government, training providers and unions.  

She also translates industry intelligence into workforce priorities, including updates to AUR and AUM qualifications, units of competency and skill sets. 

Ms Burgess-Anderson said: “In this role I get to combine my passions for automotive and training. I’m keen to continue building strong relationships with the automotive industry.   

“AUSMASA has an important part to play in addressing skills shortages, and ensuring training is aligned with where technology is headed in the industry.”  

AUSMASA principal industry engagement advisor, Automotive Emma Burgess-Anderson

AUSMASA chief executive Gavin Lind said: “With Emma now appointed to the role on a permanent basis, she will continue working closely with automotive stakeholders to better understand workforce and skills priorities across the sector.   

“Emma brings valuable industry experience to this work, and we encourage employers and industry representatives to connect with her to share feedback and insights that can help inform AUSMASA’s activities,” said Dr Lind. 

Ms Burgess-Anderson is in AUSMASA’s Industry Partnerships and Stewardship team, led by former VACC executive manager of policy and communications Dr Imogen Garcia-Reid.   

The team leads consultation and advisory activity across the sector and gives industry an opportunity to raise automotive workforce and skills challenges.