Vt. Shop Working To Bring More Women Into Auto Shops

July 2, 2019

A Vermont shop is making gender diversity a hiring priority, and that's good for business.

July 2, 2019—The Brattleboro Reformer has a business profile of Stop & Go Instant Oil Change, a female-owned operation in Vermont that's working to attract more women to the male-dominated industry.

Owner and business manager Danielle Lacroix has put some of that focus into hiring, and she told the paper that she's seen more applications from women cross her desk.

"I don't know if it's me or an industry trend," she said to the Reformer.

About a third of the family-owned shop's employees are women. Though it's tough to find experienced applicants, but she sees the service technician position as a great start for an entry-level job seeker.

One newer tech at the shop already had an interest in working on vehicles. Alexandra Destromp had been a tinkerer on motorcycles and junkyard vehicles before coming on at Stop & Go, the Reformer reported. Now she's working toward becoming a master mechanic.

The shop is humming along, averaging around 40 oil changes per day, though it might perform 80 on a really busy day. And having more women on staff is good for business. Lacroix said that lots of people approach her to say they're glad to see more women on staff.

Image: Stop & Go Instant Oil Change