From passion to profession
Originally from New South Wales, Michael found his way to Melbourne during his early teens. He was an aspiring sprinter competing at State level and powerlifter - a sport he still competes in today. His passion for cars came from carrying out performance modifications and racing at Heathcote and Calder Park.
After completing high school, he grappled with working in fields that involved constant shifts and variable locations. What attracted him to the automotive industry was its structured environment and clear measures of success.
He spent nearly a decade building his skills and getting hands-on industry experience before the road eventually led him to Jowett Motor Group.
“My youngest brother actually worked here first,” says Michael. “He had been with Jowett Motor Group for five or six years at that stage, and told me they were looking to hire more people. I was looking for a change, so I applied, and I haven’t looked back since.”
Michael first joined Jowett Motor Group as a Technician at Eastern Honda in Doncaster. Initially, he found the shift to working with a larger team daunting, but the welcoming atmosphere and close-knit culture made his integration seamless.
“Everyone was really friendly - I noticed that early on,” he says. “One thing I love about Jowett Motor Group is that there’s no micromanaging but everyone is supported to carry out their role, which is fantastic.”
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Leading with precision
After seven years as a Technician, Michael climbed the ranks to become Workshop Manager at Eastern Honda. He now has 17 Technicians and Apprentices reporting to him. Driven by people management and performance, his role encompasses adapting to change and ensuring smooth service delivery.
“It’s almost like a game of chess, really,” he says. “Or like a tactical football coach. You have all these tasks and Technicians to complete those tasks. My job is to make their life easier so they can come in and know exactly what they’re doing that day and how long they’re expected to be on a certain task.”
Although he’s always considered himself quite a shy and reserved person, Michael enjoys the challenge of a leadership role with Jowett Motor Group. He gets satisfaction from empowering those around him so they can carry out their work as best as possible.
“The two things I love most about this role is that it’s performance-based. So, it’s easy to differentiate when you’re doing well and when you’re not doing well. And I like how close-knit the team is. Because of that family feel, I know everyone’s partner’s name and their interests and hobbies, which makes a big difference.”
A dedication to growth
At the heart of Jowett Motor Group are our team members like Michael who embody our core values: authenticity, enthusiasm, excellence, accountability and collaboration. Michael’s commitment to these values has meant he’s been able to grow professionally and ensure the collective success of our tight-knit community.
“I spend a lot of time guiding and coaching our apprentices. Not just trying to develop their skills at work, but allowing them to grow as a person. I always say to my team, ‘Don’t sweat the small stuff. We’re all human, and people make mistakes. We’ll always find a way to figure it out.’ I don’t want anyone going home worrying about things that might’ve happened at work.”
As Michael looks at the make up of the team around him, nearly half have done their apprenticeship with Jowett Motor Group and gone on to become qualified Technicians.
“On average, most people have been with us for around six years, with some that’ve been here for up to 18 years. It’s quite funny, actually - in the last five years, we’ve only had two people leave, and that was because one joined the army and another moved out of state. That’s pretty rare for the automotive industry, which usually has such a high turnover of staff.”
Over the decade that Michael has been with Jowett Motor Group, he’s been able to progress his career, rise to challenges and empower those around him. He has an unwavering commitment to excellence and has found a home in the forward-thinking and welcoming Jowett Motor Group family.
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Joining the Jowett Motor Group family
We’re dedicated to helping you progress your career while striving for excellence, authenticity and collaboration. Hear it from our Workshop Manager Michael Reber, who talks about the difference of working for a motor group that cares.
“The two things I love most about this role is that it’s performance-based. So it’s easy to differentiate when you’re doing well and when you’re not doing well. And I like how close-knit the team is. Because of that family feel, I know everyone’s partner’s name and their interests and hobbies, which makes a big difference.”
