The government is aiming to address the problem of under-representation of women in the motor industry.

According to a scheme launched by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, a further £5 million is to be injected into boosting female involvement in five industries, one of which is the automotive sector.

Skills minister David Lammy said the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative, which involves a number of sector skills councils (SSCs), is essential to providing support in the right areas.

"Gender should be no barrier to a successful career. It's essential we provide extra support where it can do most good to help women overcome any barriers to recruitment or progression at work," Mr Lammy said.

Steph Savill, Founder of FOXY Lady Drivers Club, is quick to point out the benefits of employing more women from a commercial perspective.

"When it comes to buying garage services and new cars we find that it's not just women who can feel uncomfortable and ill at ease in such male-dominated environments" she explains.

"Many men find this atmosphere intimidating as well, so those businesses that employ and encourage women often find that the female touch is the missing sales and satisfaction ingredient. There are considerable commercial returns to be reaped by female-friendly motor businesses that get this formula right."

Automotive Skills is the SSC from the retail motor industry that is part of the project, which in total has seen 8,000 women forge new recruitment and career pathways since its launch in 2006.

According to its website, Automotive Skills is employer-led, with major firms in the sector providing their backing to the SSC.

FOXY Lady Drivers Club would like to see more women enter the male-dominated UK motor industry because motoring services can be much more female-friendly.

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