MCLEAN, Va. — Virginia Tire & Auto has hired 31 women over the past year and has plans to hire more.
"The automotive industry provides such great opportunities for women," Virginia Tire Co-CEO Julie Holmes said. "We want to continue to encourage women to consider this industry as a career."
To incentivize women to consider a career in automotive repair, Virginia Tire has launched a "Women in Automotive" scholarship that will assist in the advancement of women in the automotive industry.
Up to three scholarships will be available for post-secondary education for those planning to attend an ASE-certified auto technology program.
Scholarships are worth up to $2,500 per candidate for one semester of tuition, books and other materials. A minimum GPA and other requirements will be necessary to maintain and retain the scholarship across multiple semesters.
Having added 31 women employees at 17 locations in Virginia, Holmes said she is determined to get even more women into the automotive repair industry and sees the male-dominated industry as having a big opportunity for women.
"Automotive care has changed significantly over the past five years," Holmes said. "With the surge in automotive technology, current automobiles are basically computers on wheels and the demand and pay is high with less physical requirements."
Holmes said she has been actively encouraging women to consider the automotive industry since leaving her career in law and joining her family's business.
"There are so many opportunities for women in this industry," Holmes said. She has recruited a number of women who work throughout the company.
"It's a great place to work — we have a great company team and provide a variety of career opportunities and benefits," she added. "We offer jobs with a path to $100,000-plus in just two to three years and have free health insurance."
The company said it has technicians who are earning $200,000 per year. "It's time to offer this high paying career to women," she said.
Scholarship applicants must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average and must be a female high school senior who has applied and been accepted into a post-secondary program at an accredited college with a career plan to be employed in the auto care industry.
Job function can range from a technician/shop owner to any of the many business functions needed at all levels of the distribution channel.
Applicants must submit a one-page essay about their career goals with an optional short video on YouTube and include the link in the submission; a letter of reference from their automotive instructor and their high school transcript.
Email [email protected] with the subject line "Automotive Scholarship Application Information" and attach all requested files. Submissions are due by March 31, 2023. Recipients will be notified by April 30, 2023.
For more information, visit vatire.com/careers/career-development/.
