Women Techs Rock: Weekly Technician Spotlight Shares Stories that Inspire and is Part of TechForce Foundation’s Diversity Initiatives

The TechForce Foundation has launched a Women Techs Rock campaign to highlight women technicians within the automotive, aviation, diesel and marine industries. The 52-week initiative is meant to celebrate women technicians, tell their stories and encourage the next generation of female techs to explore the career and bring to light the potential for change in a field typically dominated by males.

TechForce Foundation will highlight 52 women techs — one technician per week for the next year — because current statistics show that women comprise 52 percent of the population but less than 3 percent are employed as techs. TechForce Foundation says women fill less than a quarter of the jobs (23.6 percent in 2019) in the motor vehicle equipment and repair industries. But as we know, there’s also a huge shortage of technicians out there, especially in the marine industry.

TechForce Foundation understands there’s a huge potential for growth and says women techs need to share their stories and knowledge. Women techs often view the career as more than just a job, but an actual service that does good for others. They also face different challenges in the profession and certain societal misconceptions in general, so this program gives them a chance to let their voices, various struggles and victories be heard.

The weekly initiative is not meant to create animosity between genders, but rather to honor the profession by inspiring and motivating women techs to showcase their talents, skills and expertise, while also sharing truths and the trials they have overcome to get where they are. That’s why TechForce Foundation needs the marine industry’s help in nominating female techs. That’s also why women techs should fill out an application form even if not nominated, so others can see they are not in it alone. The campaign will recognize the women trail blazers already making a difference in the field and bring awareness to the technician career in general.

The MRAA, who partners with TechForce Foundation to deliver workforce resources to marine dealers in North America, encourages dealership staff, service department managers and female techs to help nominate and celebrate women techs because they truly rock. Here’s the first Women Techs Rock technician profile that just launched. Let’s work together to feature some female marine techs. And remember, like TechForce says, #whentechsrocksamericarolls.

6 other reasons you should nominate women techs or share/tell your story:

1. A legit opportunity to highlight devoted and skilled women professionals
2. Sharing info about technical schools and networks
3. Exposing others to local and regional opportunities and the tech community
4. Human interest stories are inspiring and authentic
5. More awareness and recognition for dealerships and businesses leading the way
6. Becoming a marine technician is rewarding for many reasons 

P.S.: Here are some other tags to remember should you start your own campaign to highlight your technicians or to join the TechForce Foundation’s Women Techs Rock push.
#WomenTechsRock
#ShareYourStory
#TechForce
#STEM
#WomeninSTEM