Jade Burgmann is encouraging the automotive aftermarket to embrace disability hires

Co-Founder and Director of Wheelnutz Garage, Jade Burgmann, is undoubtably passionate about automotive, and about providing opportunities for those with disabilities to learn and be accepted within the Australian automotive aftermarket.
Jade was born and raised in Sydney where for part of her childhood, her father was the accountant for the Australian Racing Driver’s Club and also a racer himself.
While around the motorsport industry from a young age, she tells us she was always destined to be a social worker.
“I never really considered anything else. It might be cheesy, but it has been somewhat of a calling,” Jade said.
“I have always loved cars as well though – upon seeing the British racing green Jaguar XJ-S driven by John Goss win the 1985 Bathurst 1000, I was hooked.”
While she started out working in an ice cream factory packing boxes as a teen, the next 30 years would see Jade working in a range of Human Services roles across youth, mental health, drug and alcohol and family services, as well as in the disability sector.
With such a background, Jade’s current venture should come as no surprise.
“Opening Wheelnutz Garage is something that I am immensely proud of – there was and still is nothing like it in Australia, but we knew it was desperately needed for people with disabilities and a love of all things cars,” she explains.
Wheelnutz Garage is a supported learning space located in Brendale and Logan (Queensland), with plans for interstate expansion to Darwin, Bathurst and Canberra in the works.
It provides educational opportunities for anyone with a disability who is interested in learning more about automotives, while also assisting participants to build friendships and also their capacity for future employment and independence.
“Wheelnutz Garage started in our home garage on the Gold Coast in 2020. We – my husband Gavin and I – were looking for a career change, with both of us having held highly successful but stressful management roles for a long time,” Jade said.

“We are the only ones in Australia doing this type of work, providing a place for people who may not have the capacity to attend or engage regularly in accredited training.
“They may be illiterate or require some carefully considered workplace modifications, but with the right support, they have the right attitude and skills for future employment.
“It has been a huge success and since 2020, we have supported approximately 200 people with disabilities to engage in vehicle repair and restoration, with many of them going on to find employment in the automotive field.
“We now not only support people with disabilities but are also funded to provide suicide prevention supports to people in the Logan region, and are also piloting a diversion program engaging a group of young people who have been regularly coming to the attention of local police and courts.”
There is no question that Jade is immensely proud of what she and Gavin have been able to create so far.
“We have built a community for people who would ordinarily feel isolated and lonely and would otherwise not realise their potential to one day work in the Automotive industry,” she said.
“We have created a space where young people with a disability, or mental illness, are welcomed; where their strengths are valued; and where they can connect with others who have a shared interest in cars, mechanics, four wheel driving or motor racing. To be able to provide such a service is something I am very proud of.”
As a high-achiever in our industry, Jade has some simple advice for those looking to start out in the automotive industry today: “the only way to truly fail is not to try. I also live by you snooze you lose – put in the hours and don’t ever knock back an opportunity, you never know what door it will open!”
“I think it is important also to take risks, push the boundaries, and try something you have never done before – this kind of sums up the Wheelnutz Garage ethos,” she added.
When she isn’t busy at the helm of Wheelnutz Garage, Jade loves to travel, having lived all across the country and also travelled extensively overseas.
Spending time with family is also important – in fact, it is also part of the Wheelnutz origin story.

“We wanted to find a way to incorporate what we love to do personally and as a family,” she said.
“Wheelnutz Garage is a family business, with Gavin and me at the helm and Gavin’s three adult children all involved.
“Working with the kids means I get to see them every day and watch them grow as awesome adults and workers.
“It does also mean that occasionally we need to put the ‘boss hat’ on when things don’t go to plan!” she laughed.
Unsurprisingly, Jade is passionate about encouraging Australian Automotive Aftermarket employers to give those who have been supported by Wheelnutz Garage a chance.
“In the dynamic world of the automotive aftermarket industry, innovation propels businesses forward. As companies strive to meet evolving consumer demands and stay ahead, they must tap into every available resource to drive efficiency and creativity. We feel that one such resource often overlooked is the pool of talent with a disability, including those who are neurodivergent,” she said.
“Neurodiversity, encompassing conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Dyspraxia, and Dyscalculia, offers unique strengths that can revolutionise the automotive aftermarket sector. While some may view these conditions as challenges, they are, in fact, wellsprings of untapped potential waiting to be harnessed.
“Consider this: in Australia, one in five individuals lives with a disability. Within this demographic lies a wealth of talent, yet misconceptions and biases often hinder their integration into the workforce.
“With around half a million working-age individuals actively seeking employment, the automotive aftermarket industry stands to gain significantly by embracing neurodiversity in its hiring practices.

“When it comes to why automotive aftermarket businesses should prioritise neurodiverse hiring initiatives, the reasons are clear and compelling.
“Research shows that individuals with disabilities are less likely to take sick days, have fewer workplace accidents, and are four times more likely to stay with their current employer compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
“Further, neurodivergent individuals bring a unique perspective to the table, with unparalleled problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and innovative thinking. In an industry where precision, creativity, and adaptability are paramount, these qualities can be game-changers.
“Therefore, embracing neurodiversity isn’t just about fostering inclusion; it can also be a strategic business decision that can drive growth and innovation in the automotive aftermarket industry.
“By tapping into the diverse talents of neurodivergent individuals, businesses can gain a competitive edge, enhance efficiency, and cultivate a workplace culture that values diversity and empowers every team member to reach their full potential.”
Jade says being a member of the AAAA plays an important part in her and Gavin’s mission to advocate for those who are supported by Wheelnutz Garage.
“Being a member of AAAA gives us an opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of employing people with a disability,” she said.
“Decades of research shows that employing someone with a disability makes good business sense, and we look forward to continuing to spread this message with fellow AAAA members and the industry.”

To learn more about Wheelnutz Garage, visit www.wheelnutzgarage.com