The Canadian automotive industry is collectively embracing hiring women, but the not-for-profit Empowering Auto would like to see dealerships become more involved in the movement.
Empowering Auto, which was established in 2022 to recruit, retain, and grow women and their allies in the auto industry, had its third annual flagship conference last week at the Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto, Ont.
“There’s a world of opportunity for women in dealerships, which is so important considering it’s the most customer-facing part of auto,” said Aryan Habib, Empowering Auto’s Co-founder/Director, in an interview with Canadian auto dealer.
The majority of the attendees included women, some with no direct connection to the automotive industry, but with an interest in learning more about it and working in the sector. The title sponsors included Ford, Scotiabank, Hyundai, and Toyota. Corporate partners included many industry service providers.
Empowering Auto’s executive is hoping to broaden its message to a greater number of dealers beyond the ones who have already embraced the idea the industry is a great place to work.
Linda Hasenfratz, President and CEO of Linamar, participated in a fireside chat with Erin Buchanan, General Manager at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, and told Canadian auto dealer there are more opportunities in the industry for women.
“The manufacturing industry has evolved so dramatically, the way we do things on the shop floor, the way we’re designing products and going to market is so different today than it was even five or 10 years ago,” said Hasenfratz. “Jobs are changing and I think they are appealing to a whole new demographic of people.”
He added that there are many exciting jobs for women in the auto industry, in the manufacturing sector more broadly, to build a career as well as some of the more traditional areas. “I absolutely encourage it. I think they will be pretty excited by what they find.”
Hasenfratz said her company has a thriving apprenticeship program focused on women in trades with about 20 female apprentices working in Linamar’s plants in Cambridge. She added the company is looking to grow the program.
She also stressed that the industry has long since outgrown its gender bias. “If you look for bias, you’re going to find it, so don’t look for it. There’s more and more women in the industry in literally every area.”
As for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada’s Buchanan, there was a focus on encouraged women to apply for assignments in the industry even if they do not have enough qualifications.
“Together we can move the dynamic and really re-educate that this is a place for everybody…Just get down to business, you’re there to do a job, you’re good at your job,” said Buchanan. “You’re there to do something, let’s just get it done and focus on that.”
