The ASE Education Foundation enlisted automotive expert and ASE spokesperson Bogi Lateiner to speak at its recent instructor’s conference, according to a press release.
The presentation, titled “Revving up the Diversity: Shaping an Inclusive Future in Auto Repair High School and College Shop Programs,” started with a scenario of a female student who is repeatedly discouraged by her instructor to join an automotive course.
Lateiner then discussed how instructors can create an encouraging environment, such as treating both men and women the same. Women should be receiving the same amount of expectations in regard to their work, without any assumptions being made about their intelligence or capabilities based on their gender.
Lateiner warned to not make men and women feel as if they are competing with each other. Refrain from making comments about how men are being “shown up” by women or similar remarks, as this only further divides colleagues and places unreasonable expectations on women.
For much of the presentation, Lateiner described the automotive industry as a club that no one wants to be a part of, and this must change if the technician shortage is to be addressed.
“Often viewed as being sensitive, the younger generation is not necessarily sensitive, but asks for what they want and need,” Lateiner said. “In this hiring environment, employees have more power. Asking to be treated with respect, to be trained and provided with a career path while working in a collaborative environment isn’t being sensitive. It’s what every employee should have.”
