Female representation in the Irish automotive aftermarket has been very much on the rise in recent years and nowhere is this better reflected than in the Skoda Aftersales network. In parts and service  many key roles in Skoda dealers are occupied by women who have embraced the diversity, career progression opportunities and job satisfaction on offer.

Angela Flaherty, Parts Manager at Monaghan and Sons, the Skoda dealer in Galway, has spent all her working life in the automotive sector and would not have it any other way. She has now been with the company for 12 years working in the parts department and graduating to the Parts Manager role. She comments, “I have always worked in and around parts and cars. I find working in the automotive sector very interesting, rewarding and fast moving, especially with technology changing at such a pace.”

Angela had a keen interest in cars from a young age and first worked in a motor factor business. She found this great initial experience and enjoyed the diversity of the customers she met and the difference she could make for them by offering a good service.

Angela went on to work with other parts suppliers before joining Monaghan, where she said she immediately felt at home. Today she heads a busy, but very efficient parts operation with a widespread loyal customer base. She comments, “The complexity of modern cars has grown enormously in recent years and I think having expert knowledge and component expertise in a particular vehicle make is increasingly important. Experience in dealing with manufacturer parts is vital and something that can be a great time saver for customers.” She adds, “Making sure a customer gets the right parts for a job can sometimes be like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, but ultimately when the motorist get their car back on the road, it is very satisfying.”

Staying up-to-date with the latest developments in vehicle technology is also something that Angela sees as vital and she says that Skoda is especially effective at helping her to do this. She comments, “Skoda provides excellent support in terms of digital cataloguing, training and access to parts technical support when needed. They are also very forward thinking and really help us to ensure our customers can meet challenges of changing vehicle technology.”