The programme will begin this autumn with a series of ‘Open Doors’ initiatives inviting students, parents, teachers and careers advisers to their local Fix Auto UK repair centre for hands-on tours featuring live demonstrations of modern repair technology, presentations on training, career pathways and earning potential.

Every partner across all 145 locations will be tasked with ‘Opening their Doors’ and hosting at least one female-focused event involving two school or college visits a year.

This will be supported by a full kit of ready-made materials, scripts and coordinated support, ensuring each site can get involved with minimal effort.

Women currently represent only around 16% of the automotive repair workforce. EmpowHER is built around three focus areas:

Attraction and retention, to get more women through the door and keep them
Advancement, to build clear routes forward for women already in the business
Perception, using the reach of Fix Auto UK’s people and platforms to challenge outdated ideas about what a career in vehicle repair looks like.

Ian Pugh, managing director of the Advantage Group of Companies that Fix Auto UK lies within, said: “Less than 16% of our workforce comprises women and the numbers of females in technical, productive, roles is even less. That needs to change and it is now our mission to do just that.

“Modern collision repair is a highly skilled, technology-driven, well-paid profession in which men and women can thrive and yet women make up a fraction of the those working in it. Our aim is to open doors and attract more women into our workplace, to support those already carving out careers with us and to make sure the next generation of talent, whoever they are, can see themselves thriving in our industry.

“EmpowHer is about doing right by our people and building a stronger, more resilient, business for the future and I’m proud our Franchise Partners are embracing this move and getting behind this drive from day one.”

Erika Woolacott, chair of Fix Auto UK’s leadership team created to drive the campaign, added: “I grew up around this industry and, alongside my sister, Alena, I’ve built my career in it. EmpowHer matters to me because it’s personal, not just a campaign. I want every young woman who walks through our doors, and the doors of every repairer, to see a future for herself the same way as I have.”