WOMAN POWER at Sherwood Auto Repair

When you hear the term vehicle repair garage, you probably think of a man fixing the engine on your car or truck. But the truth is that more and more vehicle repair garages are starting to employ women to perform these duties.

In recent years, the automobile repair industry has seen an emergence of women. This is largely due to the fact that there are now many opportunities available for those who wish to pursue a career in this field. Women have always been able to find success and happiness in any type of job, as long as they are given the same opportunity and access to education and training as men. The Automobile Repair Industry offers excellent employment opportunities for women to excel. Historically dominated by men, this is now changing. More and more women are starting to make their mark in this field. There are a variety of reasons why this is happening and some relate back to societal change while others come from new technology developments. However, the bottom line is that more and more women are doing automotive repairs nowadays and this isn’t going to end soon!

 “You go gurl!” takes on a bit more meaning lately, especially at Sherwood Auto Repair. You see, we are loving the woman-welcoming shift in an industry that is no longer dominated by men. We are certified “Female Friendly ” by AskPatty, an industry-specific organization that vet, qualifies, and certifies auto repair shops and dealerships as being female friendly. Yep, that’s us!

The automobile repair industry has seen a change in recent years as more and more women are beginning to get their careers started. This shift is no accident, as the automotive industry has been facing many challenges that can only be solved by teams of competent individuals working together. A great example of this is the emergence of women in the auto­mobile repair industry. As shops become increasingly reliant on mechanics with both technical knowledge and interpersonal skills, they have needed to bring on board female staff members at all levels if they want to maintain customer satisfaction and remain competitive in today’s marketplace. In some cases, even small businesses have had success hiring female mechanics who possess an understanding of car systems not found among most men working within the trade. The challenge for these businesses isn’t finding qualified candidates- it’s getting them hired! As most businesses become increasingly reliant on mechanics with both technical knowledge and interpersonal skills, they have needed to bring on board female staff members at all levels if they want to maintain customer satisfaction and remain competitive in today’s marketplace. In some cases, even small businesses have had success hiring female mechanics who possess an understanding of car systems not found among most men working within the trade. The challenge for these businesses isn’t finding qualified candidates- it’s getting them hired!

In recent years, more women are expressing genuine interest in cars and simultaneously, gender roles are no longer limiting women from becoming amazing mechanics! Statistics show that in 1999, women made up only 1% of the automotive repair workforce and they broke some glass “windshields” because today, 25% of the automotive tech field and 10% of the repair industry are humans without the Y chromosome. Women are making a difference in the automotive industry by becoming mechanics and technicians. However, there are still many misconceptions about women in this field. One of the misconceptions is that women are not strong enough to work on cars. This is untrue because they can do the same work as men do. Another misconception is that most jobs in the automotive industry require heavy lifting which is not true for all jobs. Women can be great mechanics and technicians with hard work and dedication.

Women who work as mechanics are often discouraged from pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. Making up only 24% of the STEM workforce according to the National Science Foundation, this is one reason why there are so few female mechanics in comparison to male ones. However, the number of women working in this industry has increased over the past few decades, though they still represent a minority in the industry. Women are now becoming more common in the auto repair industry. Not only are they becoming mechanics but they are also running their own shops. And the primary benefit of having women break into this often male-dominated industry can be expounded further below:

• Women mechanics have a unique perspective on cars because they use them as a means of transportation and can identify with their customers better.
• Women mechanics have a better understanding of how to fix and maintain cars because they know what it is like to be on the customer’s side and have to rely on someone else for help.
• Women mechanics can be more accessible to female customers who may not feel comfortable going into male-dominated shops.
• Women can provide a different perspective that is often lacking from traditional car repair businesses, which has been shown to lead to innovation and improvements in business

The emergence of women in the automobile repair industry has been a gradual process over the past several decades. This change is being driven by environmental factors, such as increased awareness about vehicle safety and maintenance, changing social norms and increased access to education and training. There are several reasons why women are now entering this field at a higher percentage than ever before: They have greater knowledge about car mechanics; they often possess more customer service skills; they have better communications abilities because they commonly use technology to keep in touch with customers via social media or phone apps; and last but not least, many women auto mechanics feel motivated primarily by earning an income that offers them financial security.

Bravo to the dads, teachers, and mentors who have pushed girls to learn how to change a flat tire, have bonded over car time, and encouraged them to forge a “she-canic” career among men.
And It’s not all talk. Our employee Katie came to us through the automotive program at PCC. Katie, a member of the Association of Women in Automotive, has been with our team for six years and is a marvel with her keen awareness of shop and customer relations. As a technician, she does it all and strives to learn new things and challenge herself daily. By working side-by-side with fellow male counterparts, Katie leads by example, which in turn helps to build and foster greater confidence in younger generations. Katie is an inspiration to young girls and having her at Sherwood Auto Repair can help them avoid being dissuaded from pursuing careers in STEM fields due to stereotypes or preconceived notions about what they think it means to work as a female mechanic. We are extremely lucky to have her and her positive attitude.

Conclusion:

Call Sherwood Auto Repair today to schedule an appointment and find out for yourself how we strive to welcome women as both customers and employees.