The 2016 NADA workforce study reported that the percentage of all female employees in the dealership remains stagnant at just 18.6%. Additionally, only 7.8% of women were employed in key positions.
Dealerships are continuing to fall short when it comes hiring women. Is it the culture that keeps women away? Do women want a more flexible work schedule? Are the female applicants there but simply not being hired?
Whatever the reason, it’s an important issue that we should always be working to resolve. To not only hire more women in the dealerships, but also promote within to increase that representation in more prominent key roles.
With this in mind, we asked what you would do to encourage more women to work in the automotive industry. We had an overwhelming response to this question with some fantastic solutions.
Here are a just a few:
Laura Madison – National Director of Sales at Alan Ram’s Proactive Solutions
I want to tell women that joining the automotive industry was the best decision I ever made. Selling cars gave me autonomy, as well as the power to dictate my own income. I would give myself a raise every month I worked harder and sold more! This is an industry packed with tools and training that allow you to grow, educate yourself and consistently add to your skills.
Working on improving my performance has made my career in this industry successful, but perhaps more importantly, it has made it extremely rewarding. I feel grateful every day to have stumbled into the car business.
Jody Devere – CEO of AskPatty.com, Inc.
I think we need to actively promote career opportunities by participation in automotive industry scholarship programs, associations, conferences and groups that support women. Additionally, we can highlight stories on women and their various roles in the industry on websites, eNewsletters and social media to educate women on the many exciting career opportunities available in the automotive industry.
Sarah White – Business Development Coordinator at Mississauga Toyota
I feel like any time women in the industry can present to other women, whether they are going into secondary education or coming out of it and deciding their career path, it’s an opportunity to encourage this industry. When I was in high school there were no presentations encouraging this path. I didn’t even know it existed.
With any job, my feeling is always this. “I’m going to get in and I’m going to do the best job that I can and I will build my credibility from there.” This is the advice I would give to any young woman regardless of the industry. I also believe we have got an image problem, and I don’t think the industry has done enough to educate teachers, parents and careers advisers about opportunities and what it’s like to work in the motor trade. That is where the discussion should start. Moreover, I believe our own women in the industry now could assist in this education.
Want to Win a Trip to Orlando? Tell Us What You Think!
We are sending one (1) lucky person to the upcoming Women in automotive Conference in July. Click HERE and tell us what YOU would do to encourage more women in the automotive industry and you could be on your way to Orlando, Florida! We look forward to your answers!
