Australia's next generation of drivers have a new-found appreciation of cars - and the automotive industry - after Mazda Australia debuted its first ever, high school student-focussed training program.

70 Shelford Girls' Grammar School year 10 students visited Mazda's head office in Mulgrave to better understand a vehicle's engine, tyres and electrical systems.

The introductory student training centres on changing tyres, tyre pressures, the differences between automatic and manual cars and how to check water, coolant and oil levels, and also highlights the many and varied career opportunities available in the automotive industry.

"It's a two pronged initiative, we want students to appreciate the modern car and car ownership, while also drawing attention to careers in the automotive industry," said Mazda Australia's senior manager of service training Michael Thompson.

"We worked with Shelford to ensure that key learnings and curriculum requirements were met. These students will be in a position to drive a car in the next year or two, so having basic skills to maintain their vehicle and to remain safe is important."

Offering three compulsory modules of automotive study, Shelford hopes this initiative will introduce students to a career - and an industry - that perhaps hasn't been previously considered.

"This is a really good way to introduce the girls to the choices within the automotive industry," said Shelford Girls' Grammar principal Polly Flanagan.

"There is great emphasis being placed on the need for more women to be involved in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) careers.

"We prefer to use the term STEAM, adding Arts to this list, because the design of a car is an artistic as well as scientific, technological and engineering endeavour."

Mazda believes offering information and training of this type to year 10 students is perfect given many are soon to drive and most are starting to think about the future.

"Car ownership is not far away and students are at the stage where they are starting to think about careers, and the right VCE subjects in year 11 and 12," said Thompson.

"We want to give them information about the wide range of career options that are available in the automotive industry. 

"There are always opportunities in marketing, sales, information technology and human resources, but we are also focusing on VET courses that lead to apprenticeships or traineeships."

As a Registered Training Organisation that offers a nationally accredited Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology qualification to apprentices, Mazda hopes to attract more students – particularly females - to the automotive industry.

"The auto industry is going through a few changes thanks to the closure of local manufacturing, however this doesn't mean there isn't a future for careers in the auto industry," said Thompson.

"Also, it has been seen as a male dominated industry, but this doesn't have to be the case.  Our apprenticeship program is open to all and I would like to break down the perception that it is a "man's" job.

"We have a number of female apprentices in our program, with many excelling in the trade, so through this schools initiative we hope to see numbers increase."