A push to train and hire more women in the auto repair industry
Industry data shows women make up a small share of auto technicians despite growing demand for workers
LAS VEGAS (InvestigateTV) — Most auto repair shops are staffed almost entirely by men, according to federal labor data.
A February 2026 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found about 1.8% of mechanics are women.
Federal data predicts about 70,000 job openings in the field by 2034 as many older workers retire. The industry is stepping up efforts to recruit and train more women to meet that demand.
Samantha Aiken is the service manager for the Midas off Tropicana in Las Vegas. The trained auto technician said some shops were skeptical to hire her. She said the family that owns the shop vouched for her, saying customer service needed a woman’s touch.
“I relate to the customers. I’m honest with them. You know, I put myself in their shoes because I was them at one point, you know,” Aiken said. “So, I just sit next to them and I show them everything. If they have questions, I bring them out here and show them the cars.”
Aiken said she has never been afraid to get her hands dirty.
After fixing cars with her boyfriend and going to parts stores by herself, she decided to pursue a new career.
Companies and shops call staff at UEI looking for students to hire. Rose White, UEI campus president, said students train in the school’s automotive lab.
“We are in the automotive lab here at my campus. This is where our students get to take the theory and the didactic part of their training and put it into hands-on, real practical practice and training,” White said.
White said students are not limited to repair work.
“They’re not looking for careers that they’re going to be sitting at a desk. You can go into the service side, into the management side, administrative,” White said. “You can break into some of the fun things like we have in Las Vegas with F1, racing. So, the sky’s the limit.”
Aiken said she hopes to go back to the classroom in the future to teach other women entering the field. “Just go for it. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.”
National organizations such as Women in Automotive provide mentorship programs and connect women already working in the auto industry.
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