A push to train and hire more women in the auto repair industry

LAS VEGAS (InvestigateTV) — Most auto repair shops are staffed almost entirely by men, according to federal labor data. A February 2026 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found about 1.8% of mechanics are women.Federal data predicts about 70,000 job openings in the field by 2034 as many older workers retire. The industry is stepping up efforts to recruit and train more women to meet that demand.Samantha Aiken is the service manager for the Midas off Tropicana in Las Vegas. The trained auto technician said some shops were skeptical to hire her. She said the family that owns the shop vouched for her, saying customer service needed a woman’s touch.“I relate to the customers. I’m honest with them. You know, I put myself in their shoes because I was them at one point, you know,” Aiken said. “So, I just sit next to them and I show them everything. If they have questions, I bring them out here and show them the cars.”Aiken said she has never been afraid to get her hands dirty. After f