Vermont organizations working to reduce stress about car repairs

In Vermont, driving a car is essential to getting around. But for many people, when that check engine light comes on the urge to ignore it can pop up, especially since repairs, services, and replacements can be expensive and confusing. Now, a few Vermont organizations are working to fix that problem through open assessments, classes, and training workshops. Girlington Garage is one of those places, and service manager Nya Key said that they offer detailed assessments and consultations to make sure people understand the process.”The whole purpose is to make sure that people’s cars are being taken care of properly, but also understanding those repairs … It’s really important to understand something that holds your livelihood, so I really make sure that I’m giving you this estimate because it’s a tool,” Key said.Key said that at Girlington, they talk through options with the customer, so they can also understand next steps, without feeling shame or embarrassment about the state of their vehicle. There are also a few up-and-coming organizations working to bridge the gap for women and minorities. They include Rowley Wrench, started by hobby mechanic Allison Rowley.”Somebody tells you that your brake pads are bad, what does that actually mean? Why is it important? So, what we’re really kind of trying to foster is a base level of information for people at the very least,” Rowley said.Vermont Works for Women also promotes educational opportunities for the next generation, giving them the tools they need to undertake repairs and enter male-dominated fields. “We work under no assumption that all of the young people we work with will go into the trades, but we want to build baseline skills so that they can do it in their own lives,” said director of development Kate Gluckman. For more information about technical training classes and workshops, visit Vermont Works for Women.

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