Emma Simpson always knew that she wanted to be in the automotive refinishing business, and started approaching businesses for her apprenticeship when she was 18.
Nineteen rejections later, Emma walked into Auckland Panel and Paint- CBD in May 2024 and finally had her ‘yes’.
Emma got to work on her spray painting apprenticeship through MITO. As part of her training she met Smart Trade Solutions where her tutor, Rick Lunn, connected her with the Women in Collision Repair Project.
This project, which Rick leads, is funded by the Inspiring Futures Foundation and provides apprentices like Emma with access to mentorship, professional development and peer support. One year later, in May 2025, Emma was standing on the stage at the New Zealand Collision Repair Association conference as the recipient of the prestigious Golden Gun - the top award for a refinishing apprentice. Rick says that the support of the Inspiring Futures Foundation has made a significant difference in the work that the Women in Collision Repair Project can do to support apprentices like Emma.
“Without funding, a good idea is just a good idea. The difference we see in the women who come through this project is amazing. They already have the talent, but the confidence and determination they get through the peer support and mentorship is clear to see.”
Emma’s boss Vladimir Rusimov, says that Emma’s determination has been a key part of what makes her a great apprentice.
“When Emma first approached us, I remembered what it felt like to be in her shoes, waiting for somebody to return your call and give you a chance. Emma is determined to become a qualified spray painter, and knows that there is a lot to learn - but she will get there, especially with the peer support and mentorship she has access to through our workshop, and the Women In Collision Repair Project.”
Owner of the Auckland Panel and Paint Group, Bob Boniface, says the company is obsessed with training as the basis of our quality promise - Emma is the most recent of several Golden Gun and Golden Hammer employees, and the company won CRA Trainer of the year recently.
“We do way more than the minimum training for apprentices, and this shows at the end of the day with our extraordinary high level of customer Net Promoter Scores, higher even than the large insurers set themselves.”
General Manager of New Zealand Collision Repair Association, Stewart Gibb, says that he thinks Emma has a bright future ahead of her.
“Emma is extremely conscientious in her work and has the patience you need in this job to get it done right. Refinishing is a hands-on, practical trade, and Emma’s skill in this area shone through in the evaluation process.”
Emma’s skills and attention to detail were put to the test by tutors and trainers, where she was then selected as one of three apprentices who competed in a ‘paint off’ in Auckland, judged by industry experts and the NZ Collision Repair Association.
This is the second year in a row that the Golden Gun award has been won by an apprentice from the Women in Collision Repair Project - something Emma says she hopes show other women looking to enter the industry that the opportunities to succeed are there.
“The thought of joining a male-dominated industry may seem daunting but just do it! Most people I've met are kind and totally supportive of seeing more women get into the industry; especially as wins like this highlight our abilities.”
