Work experience key to bridging automotive skills gap
Automotive aftermarket businesses have been urged to provide work experience opportunities to young people next year.
As part of the inaugural Automotive Work Experience Week (AWE) last April, School of Thought launched a dedicated portal on its website enabling businesses to sign up and pledge to providing work experience.
To date, almost 200 placements for next year have now been registered.
School of Thought, The IMI and Autotech Academy are now encouraging other businesses to follow suit to tackle the existing skills shortage while also helping to establish a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.
Dave Reece, founder of the School of Thought Automotive, said: “Addressing the skills gap is not just about filling current vacancies. It’s about investing in the future. Work experience is vital in showcasing the diverse career paths within the automotive industry, helping young individuals realise their potential and passion early on.
“It’s important to remember that work experience placements need not conform to traditional standards and can take any form—from a single day to a week or even every Friday afternoon. What matters most is engaging with young talent to fill the skills gap and bring new energy into existing teams.”
