Four key recommendations are being put forward by a report addressing the low number of women in the auto sector.
The officially titled Advancing Women in Automotive Knowledge Exchange Needs Assessment Report (AWAKE) recommendtions include improving workplace cultures, better employer and government supports for women as well as calling on the industry to raise greater awareness regarding opportunities for women.
France Daviault, Senior Director of Industy Relations with Automotive Industries Association of Canada, says women must be included to fill the predicted one million skilled labour jobs needed by 2020 in the auto-sector.
"It just makes good business sense to look at the 51% of the workforce that are women," says Daviault. "The sustainability of the automotive sector depends on having the skilled labour in place."
She says the culture shift needed to see more women in the auto sector begins before ever getting to the shop floor.
"The old perception that cars, automotive maybe wasn't for girls — that needs to change at home with the parents first and foremost," says Daviault.
The report shows just 6.4% of trade jobs are held by women.
The needs assessment research was done through a parternship between AIA Canada and St. Clair College.
AIA Canada represents the $19-billion auto aftermarket industry in the country which employs over 400,000 people.
