Fix Auto UK Turns EmpowHER Vision Into Action With Nationwide Programme to Attract and Advance Women

Fix Auto UK has today set out its detailed programme of activity behind its critically acclaimed EmpowHER programme – its industry-leading nationwide strategy to attract more women into the automotive repair sector.

Launched earlier this summer, the Group has now revealed how it intends to not only attract a greater number of women into the sector but also disclose how those already working within it can progress and carve out a career in whatever area they choose.

The programme is set to commence during the forthcoming autumn term with a series of ‘Open Doors’ initiatives whereby students, parents, teachers and careers advisers will be invited into their local Fix Auto UK repair centre for hands-on tours featuring live demonstrations of modern repair technology, presentations on training, career pathways and earning potential and informal Q&As with the team.

Every Franchise Partner across all 145 locations will be tasked with ‘Opening their Doors’ and hosting at least one female-focused event involving two school or college visits a year. This will be supported by a full kit of ready-made materials, scripts and coordinated support, ensuring each site can get involved with minimal effort.  Fix Auto UK will also use its social channels to support the programme and highlight the opportunities available to women across the sector

Since revealing EmpowHER – which is an industry first campaign developed solely aimed at women – the organisation has been mapping out the campaigns, tools and resources needed to put it into action and is now rolling these out across the Group to tackle one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: women currently represent only around 16 per cent of the automotive repair workforce, and significantly fewer hold technical roles.

The activity being unveiled today is built around three focus areas at the heart of the EmpowHER strategy:

• Attraction and retention, to get more women through the door and keep them
• Advancement, to build clear routes forward for women already in the business
• Perception, using the reach of Fix Auto UK’s people and platforms to challenge outdated ideas about what a career in vehicle repair looks like.

Instrumental in attracting new talent is educating those interested about the earning potential and skill levels within the today’s industry, effectively debunking all thoughts that it is a low paid career.

Ian Pugh, Managing Director of the Advantage Group of Companies that Fix Auto UK lies within, said: “Less than 16 per cent of our workforce comprises women and the numbers of females in technical, productive, roles is even less.That needs to change and it is now our mission to do just that!

“Modern collision repair is a highly skilled, technology-driven, well-paid profession in which men and women can thrive and yet women make up a fraction of the those working in it. Our aim is to open doors and attract more women into our workplace,to support those already carving out careers with us and to make sure the next generation of talent, whoever they are, can see themselves thriving in our industry. EmpowHer is about doing right by our people and building a stronger, more resilient, business for the future and I’m proud our Franchise Partners are embracing this move and getting behind this drive from day one.”

Erika Woolacott, Chair of Fix Auto UK’s leadership team created to drive the campaign, added: “I grew up around this industry and, alongside my sister, Alena, I’ve built my career in it. EmpowHer matters to me because it’s personal, not just a campaign. I want every young woman who walks through our doors, and the doors of every repairer, to see a future for herself the same way as I have.”