It was men who initially dominated the auto glass repair work, but there have always been women involved in the business. The role of women in the automotive industry is significantly gaining recognition, and some women have even started their independent venture in the auto repair work.
New Programs for Women
Several programs especially target women who are new in the business and also for women who had been there for many years. Two such programs that changed the game for women are Women in Trades and #WomenRockRepair.
#WomenRockRepair is a group that highlights women in the auto glass business. It was established by Shiloh Spoo who was inspired by a friend to specifically focus on women when they noticed that women were overshadowed at the previous years’ Auto Glass Week awards ceremony.
Supportive Establishment
The movement gained momentum, and #WomenRockRepair has since mentored women groups to join and establish them in the windshield repair and replacement industry. This program also sponsors women to compete in the Windshield Repair Competition by sponsoring the entry fees and training them in the business.
The Women in the Trade scholarship program have also been providing support and mentoring women for over a decade. With the initiative to provide scholarships for women wanting to pursue this career, they train and offer opportunities to work with experts. They choose five women every semester and offer them opportunities to further their skills.
The Inspirations
Suzanne Allan who encourages Shiloh Spoo was the first woman to win the Windshield Repair competition in 2018. She claims that her husband inspired her to enter the contest after he won earlier. It was an achievement that opened the possibilities for many other women as well, and she encourages other women to follow their dreams.
Programs such as #WomenRockRepair and Women in the Trade have greatly helped in highlighting the possibilities of any woman and will continue to produce efficient and skilled women in the auto glass industry.