The aftermarket opens its doors to women: when technology changes the face of workshops (for the better)

Forget the ‘old-style’ workshop, where physical strength was essential and technology played a marginal role. Today, car repair is an increasingly digital, connected and technological sector, where IT skills, the ability to use advanced diagnostic software and the precision in interpreting electronic vehicle data make the difference.

In this scenario, new professional opportunities are also opening up for women, in a sector that is hungry for specialised technicians and is looking for digital and transversal skills. The job is less and less ‘forceful’ and more and more oriented towards precision and the reading of on-board electronic systems.

Workshop 4.0: technical preparation and digital skills are needed

A car arriving at the workshop today is no longer just a machine to be dismantled and repaired, but a real computer on wheels, communicating any faults through connected diagnostic systems. Action is often taken for an infotainment malfunction, an update of the ADAS safety systems or a sensor configuration. This is where digital skills become crucial: a perfect challenge even for young female professionals, who are often digital natives and have a natural familiarity with these kinds of tools.

Why don't girls know this?

One of the problems is precisely the lack of information: still too many female students do not know that this path exists and that they too can build a successful career in the world of car repair. Today, in order to become a mechatronics or workshop technician, all you have to do is choose a suitable training path:

What to study to work in the workshop?

• Technical and vocational schools: subjects such as Maintenance and Technical Assistance, Mechanics and Mechatronics, Transport and Logistics.

• Post-graduate training courses: organised by manufacturers, parts distributors or trade associations.

Key competences:

• Electronic diagnosis

• Infotainment systems and connectivity

• Advanced mechatronics

• ADAS calibration

 
 
Inspiring stories: Elena Spelta, the  Gommista Viola (tyre specialist)

A concrete example? Elena Spelta, a tyre specialist from Cremona and the soul of Gommista Viola: a project that has also become a social media case with thousands of followers. Through her Instagram profile @gommaviola, she talks every day about her work between tyre fitting, customer assistance and technical updates, with a direct and engaging language.

With the She Can Do It project, Spelta has become a true ambassador for women in the workshop, demonstrating that even in a historically male-dominated sector, women can not only be there, but also make a difference, thanks to precision, attention to detail and a focus on service quality.

Not only workshop: AWA's role for the future of women in the automotive industry

Also supporting the growth of women's work in the automotive industry is AWA - Automotive Woman Association, a non-profit organisation that brings together female professionals with experience in the world of cars and motorbikes. Right now, AWA is training new female test drivers, in collaboration with Loris Bicocchi, one of the world's most famous test drivers.

The goal? To bring more women into motorsport and the automotive industry, demonstrating how women's contribution can enrich the sector in terms of technical skills, creativity and professionalism.

The appointment not to be missed: Autopromotec 2025

For those who want to discover the world of the aftermarket up close, there is an event not to be missed: Autopromotec, scheduled from 21 to 24 May 2025 in Bologna. It is Italy's most important exhibition dedicated to equipment and the aftermarket and one of the world's leading events.
At Autopromotec the excellence of Made in Italy will be present, from equipment and diagnostics companies to those that develop the most advanced technologies for car repair.
But it is not just a showcase: Autopromotec is also a laboratory of ideas, with talks, conventions and moments of comparison that will help operators, schools and new generations to understand what direction the sector is taking and what skills are most in demand. A precious opportunity, especially for girls who want to discover a world in which there is really room for them.

A sector that seeks (also) women

According to the most recent data, the female presence in the workshop is still less than 5%, but it is a growing number. The aftermarket sector today has a demand for technicians and mechatronics engineers that far exceeds supply, creating a valuable space for anyone who wants to get involved, regardless of gender.
In a future where mobility will be increasingly sustainable and digital, workshops will need new, smart and up-to-date skills. This is an opportunity to be seized, especially for girls who are looking for a concrete, innovative and possibility-rich career path.

‘The workshop of the future is digital, inclusive and (also) female.’