FOXY Newsdesk

FOXY Lady Drivers Club founder Steph Savill isn't surprised that few females seem to have the motor industry at the top of their dream career list when they leave school. Many see 'car sales' and 'garage mechanic' jobs as being 'just for the boys' and few job ads in the motor retail industry seem to be written with girls in mind.

But women might be missing a trick here, thinks Steph, because a job in a good independent garage or franchised car dealership can offer excellent prospects for females who are willing to work hard, learn new skills and stand up and be counted in what is often a male-oriented workplace to begin with.

In a nutshell there is no real reason why a job in the UK motor industry shouldn't be as popular with women as one in fashion or beauty for example, especially now that the motor industry is serious about providing a female friendly working environment and there is extra funding for training to help more women climb the career ladder.

Steph's experience is that the recession has encouraged a growing number of leading garages and dealerships to commit to making their businesses more female friendly in future and those that are planning to recruit in 2010 recognise that female staff could help them do a better job for women customers.


Unipart Car Care Centre and SEAT car dealership,
Holders of Congresbury near Bristol.

Steph's message to women who are looking for a job in 2010 is a simple one.
"Don't ignore motor industry job vacancies simply because you think that men rule the roost here. Times are changing fast and there will be interesting job vacancies and training opportunities that are equally available for women in this industry just as soon as the UK economy starts to recover."

In summary, if you are female and looking for your first job or one that is more fulfilling for the future, Steph is suggesting you consider a career in the motor industry and do your bit to make this a more friendly place for female customers and staff alike in future.

To find out who the female friendly garages and dealerships are in your area, visit FOXY Choice and then contact the businesses direct to register your interest in a specific job area in future. Whilst they may not have any immediate vacancies, they will record your interest and get in touch if the situation changes in future. Alternatively you can find out more about the many different jobs in retail by visiting the Institute of the Motor Industry and checking out the various learning and apprentice schemes that exist.

For more information...

About the UK motor industry

The motor industry includes car manufacturers, new car dealerships and showrooms, used car dealers, independent garages, fast fit businesses, specialist car repairers, mobile services and a wealth of local businesses providing parts and specialist services to literally keep our car wheels turning.

These businesses look after the needs of some 15m women drivers in the UK who shop around for new cars and need reliable businesses to carry out their MOTs, car servicing and repairs. Whilst many women dislike visiting garages and dealerships where they often feel intimidated this is a business opportunity for those that commit to female friendly standards and employ female staff to reassure women in future.

About work opportunities for women

Q1) Do you like people and find it easy to talk to strangers face to face?
Recent research suggests that women are better at car sales than many men because of their natural ability to chat! With the right training and determination you could become a product expert that customers consult and respect.

Q2) Do you enjoy writing letters and is your spelling a particular talent?
If you are up to speed with the latest technology too perhaps you could look after email enquiries from customers and even maintain the business database and website.

Q3) Are you naturally handy with a screwdriver, needle and thread or paintbrush at home? Perhaps you wish you could train as an apprentice to use these skills in a business context but don't know how to go about this.

Q4) Are you a well organised person who likes everything to have a place, a good negotiator or perhaps with a talent for arithmetic?
There are plenty of administrative jobs in the motor industry as well as specific Buying and Accounts roles.

About Steph Savill

Steph Savill is a Chartered Marketer, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) and a member of the Institute of the Motor Industry (MIMI). She is the founder of awardwinning FOXY Lady Drivers Club, a unique life assistance membership association for women drivers and FOXY Choice website which promotes good female friendly garages and car dealerships. She has been appointed a Women's Enterprise Ambassador by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and recruited to act as a role model for women as well as to promote the benefits of being in business. You can contact Steph via steph@foxyladydrivers.com.

What FOXY membership includes
How to join FOXY