Contest winner Kaitlyn Schave will attend VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo in Kansas City

Shop-Ware, a cloud-based shop management platform for independent auto repair shops, today announced Kaitlyn Schave of Wisconsin as the winner of the Future Tech of the Trade – VISION Experience Giveaway.

In partnership with automotive podcast Changing the Industry, Shop-Ware’s giveaway will send one automotive apprentice on an expense-paid trip to attend the VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo, one of the most respected and sought-after training events in the automotive business. This year’s conference takes place March 5-8, 2026, in Kansas City.

Schave was nominated by her employer, Angela Mitchell, owner of TenPin Motors in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, where she works as an apprentice technician. She originally entered the industry because she wanted to work on her own vehicles but knew she needed more knowledge and hands-on experience. According to Mitchell, Schave has demonstrated a willingness to take on larger projects and actively seeks mentorship while still owning the work.

Mitchell also noted that Schave overcomes the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry by consistently proving her skill, work ethic, and commitment to growth. “She is good at what she does,” Mitchell shared. “And she maximizes every opportunity to learn.”

Cavan Robinson, VP of operations at Vehlo, parent company of Shop-Ware, added, “Kaitlyn is a great example of the kind of talent that will carry this industry into the future. Her dedication and drive make her so deserving of this honor as a ‘future tech of the trade.’ We can’t wait to see how she benefits from this unique experience.”

By attending the VISION event, Schave hopes to strengthen her technical skillset, build greater confidence in her abilities, and invest in her long-term career growth. She says that a great repair tech is someone who learns from others and is “confident but not cocky – someone who isn’t afraid to ask for guidance but doesn’t hand off responsibility.”

The VISION Experience Giveaway program is designed to give back in a meaningful way by supporting apprentices who are committed to learning, growth, and craftsmanship. The selection committee consisted of representatives from Shop-Ware, Changing the Industry, the VISION event, and independent repair shops. Judging criteria was based on demonstrated passion for the trade, commitment to professional growth, and alignment with community values.

About Shop-Ware

Founded in 2013, Shop-Ware delivers professional-grade innovation to independent automotive service providers. Shop-Ware is committed to developing sophisticated tools to help the automotive aftermarket thrive and grow. Industry-first features include fully digital, cloud-based repair orders with native vehicle inspections, rich media, and customer live chat; real-time shop workflow and "expeditor" dispatch; native parts allocation and tracking for each job in progress; parts gross-profit "optimizer" that automatically seeks and attains a parts GP target; advanced analytics across unlimited repair facilities, and much more. For more information on Shop-Ware, visit shop-ware.com.

About Changing the Industry

Changing the Industry (CTI) is a media platform and podcast dedicated to elevating the voices of technicians, shop owners, and industry leaders through honest conversations, education, and community-driven initiatives. Hosted by Lucas Underwood and David Roman, CTI is a channel for shop owners to learn how to tackle the issues that come with auto shop management. Find every episode on YouTube and learn more about the podcast at changingtheindustrypodcast.com.

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“Kaitlyn is a great example of the kind of talent that will carry this industry into the future. Her dedication and drive make her so deserving of this honor as a ‘future tech of the trade,’" said Cavan Robinson, VP of operations at Vehlo.