Breaking Barriers: Celebrating Women in Automotive Technology at Maple Hill
We're thrilled to announce that our Volvo technician, Madi Strayer, recently participated in Volvo's prestigious Female Technician Forum. This opportunity represents not just Madi's professional growth, but also highlights Maple Hill Auto Group's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion in the automotive service industry.
The Reality of Gender Disparity in Automotive Service
The statistics paint a stark picture: women make up only 1.2% of dealership technicians nationwide. This significant underrepresentation exists despite automotive service being a career that offers numerous advantages, including:
- Excellent work-life balance
- Continuous educational opportunities
- Career advancement potential
- The ability to earn over $100,000 annually with mastery
Women may have bias against the industry due to stereotypes and limited representation in automotive careers. However, the challenge doesn't end with recruitment—once women enter the industry, they often face bias from the "old guard" who may not be accustomed to women in technical roles. This is precisely why it's crucial to have women represented throughout a company's organizational structure, from entry-level positions to executive leadership.
Maple Hill's Commitment to Change
At Maple Hill Auto Group, we're actively working to transform this narrative. We're proud that 20% of our technicians are women—a figure that dramatically outpaces the national average. Our female technicians serve in roles ranging from express service to master technician positions, demonstrating excellence at every level of expertise.
This commitment to diversity extends throughout our organization. Women make up 50% of our executive team and 42% of our management team, ensuring diverse perspectives at every level of decision-making. Perhaps most notably, over 75% of our service advising team consists of women, compared to an industry average of just 19%. This representation matters—it creates an environment where everyone can see themselves succeeding.
Our approach to diversity didn't happen by accident. We've implemented several initiatives designed to create an inclusive environment where professionals from all backgrounds can thrive:
1. Accessibility to Education: We provide access to both online and in-person learning opportunities, ensuring our team members can continuously develop their skills regardless of their learning preferences. We work with our staff to create unique learning opportunities weather that be with Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Auto Repair program, through manufacturer training, or through hands-on mentorship. There’s no need to have a degree to succeed.
2. Comprehensive Mentoring: New technicians are paired with experienced professionals who provide guidance, support, and practical knowledge transfer in a supportive environment.
3. Eliminating Financial Barriers: Along with paying for training, we provide toolboxes to our new technicians, removing a significant financial burden that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from entering the field. This ensures technicians can begin their careers without accumulating debt from essential equipment purchases. For individuals interested in pursuing any technical degree from KVCC, Maple Hill has also created the Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades scholarship to ease the cost of a degree.
The Modern Automotive Technician
The outdated image of the "grease monkey" portrayed in movies couldn't be further from today's reality. While there are certainly moments when technicians get their hands dirty, modern automotive service professionals are highly skilled diagnosticians and problem-solvers working with increasingly sophisticated technology.
As vehicles evolve into complex computer systems on wheels, the skill set required of technicians has transformed dramatically. Today's automotive technicians need:
- Advanced diagnostic abilities
- Computer literacy and software proficiency
- Electrical system expertise
- Precision mechanical skills
- Adaptive learning capabilities to keep pace with rapidly evolving vehicle technology
This evolution creates an opportunity to attract diverse talent, as the industry now requires a broader range of aptitudes than ever before.
Celebrating Success Stories
Madi's participation in the Volvo Female Technician Forum represents exactly the kind of professional development we encourage. By stepping outside her comfort zone to connect with other women in the field, share experiences, and bring new knowledge back to our team, she exemplifies the growth mindset we value.
We celebrate not just Madi's achievement, but the accomplishments of all our team members who continually seek opportunities to expand their expertise and contribute to our culture of excellence.
Looking Forward
The goal isn't simply to promote women in service—it's to expose people of all backgrounds to the lucrative and family-oriented automotive service industry while encouraging opportunities for everyone. As vehicles continue to advance technologically, the demand for skilled automotive technicians will only increase. At Maple Hill Auto Group, we're committed to building a diverse team ready to meet these challenges head-on.
By breaking down barriers to entry, supporting ongoing education, and fostering an inclusive environment, we're not just preparing for the future of automotive service—we're actively creating it.
If you or someone you know is interested in exploring a career in automotive technology, we encourage you to reach out. The automotive industry is changing, and at Maple Hill, we're proud to be driving that change.
