With almost one fifth of the current automotive workforce expected to retire by 2032, the next generation of vehicle technicians may already be sitting in UK college classrooms — and increasingly, they’re female.
According to Autotech Academy, which works closely with FE colleges offering motor vehicle courses and helps newly qualified technicians transition into employment through paid industry internships, there is an increasing number of young women choosing careers in vehicle maintenance and repair.
The trend comes at a critical time for the sector. Recent research from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) shows around 16,000 automotive roles remain unfilled across the UK, with shortages particularly acute in technical positions including diagnostics, servicing and repair.
At the same time, nearly half of the automotive workforce is aged over 45, increasing pressure on employers to replace retiring technicians and attract a new generation of talent.
As Autotech Academy marks its fifth anniversary, the organisation says the growing number of young women entering automotive training could play a key role in helping address the sector’s long-term recruitment crisis, if employers are prepared to open the door to new talent.
While women currently make up less than one fifth of the wider automotive workforce, female representation in technical roles remains particularly low, accounting for just 11.3% of those working in vehicle maintenance and repair. However, colleges are beginning to see signs of change.
At Stamford College in Lincolnshire, female participation across motor vehicle programmes has risen significantly in recent years.
Anton Maycock, Motor Vehicle Lecturer at Stamford College, has witnessed the change first-hand:
“When I first started here four years ago, across all of our Level 1 classes we only had two girls, and sadly neither progressed beyond that year. Now, across Level 1 we have around six female students, and in Level 3 six out of nine students are women. That’s a dramatic shift.”
This year’s Level 3 cohort also represents a reversal of traditional classroom dynamics, with women now outnumbering men – a stark contrast to the wider automotive workforce.
Anton believes the shift is being driven by both personal exposure to the trade and the creation of inclusive learning environments: “Many of the girls have family members who work in the trade, which sparked their interest. But just as importantly, we foster a supportive environment with zero tolerance for sexist behaviour, so they feel confident staying on the course.”
Students say the growing number of women in the classroom now feels normal rather than unusual.
Oliwia, a third-year student at Stamford College who is embarking on an Autotech Academy internship, said her passion for vehicles began at a young age: “I grew up around cars and always found them intriguing. To me, a vehicle is like a massive puzzle, if one piece is wrong, it doesn’t work properly.”
However, she also faced barriers when trying to enter the industry before enrolling at college: “I went into garages asking about apprenticeships and was often told they weren’t looking for female apprentices. It’s changing now, but some places are still hesitant.”
Another Level 3 student, Maddie, said seeing a family member succeed in the trade encouraged her to pursue a career in automotive: “My brother completed his Level 2 and Level 3 here too and now he’s a master technician. I used to watch him working on cars outside our house and I was always interested in helping him,” she said. “At first, I was going to study health and social care, but I realised I wanted something more practical. Once I started the motor vehicle course, I knew it was the right choice.”
While colleges are seeing increased female participation, challenges remain in transitioning newly qualified students into employment.
Anton believes closer links between education and employers could help address the issue: “Even something as simple as one day a week in a garage while studying could make a huge difference. It gives students experience, confidence, and often leads directly to a job.”
Since launching in 2021, Autotech Academy has placed more than 540 newly qualified vehicle technicians into paid internships across over 200 automotive businesses nationwide. The programme helps bridge the gap between education and employment by giving newly qualified technicians a valuable start on the automotive career ladder, with 95% of interns who successfully complete the internship progressing into permanent automotive roles.
As more young women enter automotive education, Autotech Academy says creating clear pathways from the classroom into the workshop will be critical to ensuring the industry does not lose the next generation of talent.
“We’re seeing growing numbers of young women coming through into automotive training and internships, which is incredibly encouraging for the future of the industry,” comments Ryan Ford, Head of Autotech Academy.“What’s important now is making sure those newly qualified technicians feel supported as they move from education into the workplace. Starting out in any new career can feel daunting, so having the right environment, mentoring and encouragement around them can make a huge difference to confidence and long-term success.”
As the automotive industry continues its transition towards electric vehicles, advanced diagnostics and new technologies, attracting a broader and more diverse talent pipeline is becoming increasingly critical.
Stamford College’s experience suggests that this pipeline is already emerging. Young women are choosing automotive in growing numbers.
Now the industry must choose them.
