In this episode of WrenchWay Weekly, we discuss female technicians in the automotive industry. Watch the full episode, or review the episode highlights below.
Female Technicians in the Automotive Industry
A recent WrenchWay Insiders poll asked, “How many female technicians does your shop/dealership currently employ?” Let’s review the responses:
- None: 77%
- 1-2: 19%
- 3-5: 4%
- 6 or more: 0%
We also asked, “What do you think the industry can do to encourage more women to pursue a career as a technician?” and received several comments.
While many respondents were unsure how to attract more women to the industry, some technicians offered focused insight, with one remarking, “In the past, I have worked with some great female technicians. I think the industry needs to show that today’s technicians are not all about replacing greasy parts; the best technicians are doing all the work in their heads. An understanding of vehicle fuel, electrical and communication systems is most valuable.”
Several other comments highlighted that technician recruitment efforts don’t need to be gender-focused but rather centered on the entire process. “I think during high school, skilled trades should be highlighted just as much as 4-year college degrees are,” says one technician.
Another adds, “Bottomline is, raise the pay, the benefits and cut the hours and days needed to work each week and you’ll attract and retain employees. Most jobs I look at that require just 5 years or more tech experience are paying more to start and better benefits than what a lot of techs get after 10 or 20 years in the field. There’s zero motivation to stay wrenching.”
Attract Problem-Solvers to the Industry
This all zeros in on shops getting involved with recruitment early on, including putting the technical aspects of the job at the forefront of these efforts. Prospective technicians can be attracted to the job’s problem-solving parts that require critical thinking and sophisticated skills. Fixing the fuel, electrical, and communication systems in today’s cars goes way beyond the simple ability to turn a wrench.
