www.schoolofthought.info Issue One: February 2022
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Issue One January 2022
t Generation
Bringing the Automotive Industry in to schools and colleges
Featuring
10
Reasons to choose an apprenticeship
Issue One February 2022
Welcome to 2022 We have all been through the most difficult of times our industry has had to deal with and through avoiding getting Covid, being furloughed and feeling like my arm is a pin cushion I keep asking the same question. • Why do we need School of Thought? • How can such a small organisation make the difference required? • And how much more do we need to do?.
Looking for your next Apprentice contact School of Thought I also look back at the last couple of years and see just how much work has been done building those all important relationships with our industry and Education, and realise just what a difference a small team of committed individuals can make with hard work and determination, not to give in and then I see the growth in the Ambassadors who recognise the huge problem and want to give some of their precious time back.
THIS ISSUE
Welcome to 2022 Breaking News Careers Autotech Internship National Apprenticeship Week Fantastic Future #inApprenticeships Well Being – The Road to Recovery What the future looks like Competition Time
Sometimes in life and business you have to stop, take a deep breath, look back at what has been achieved and listen to people you have connected with along the way. Wind back to the birth of what was a seed of an idea and inviting industry colleagues (you know who you are) to a couple meetings at the Vizion Academy in early 2019 with a clear message of leaving their egos and badges at the door and getting their support to do the right thing for the industry. Now fast forward to 2022 and having over 120 Ambassadors on board, making the industry accessible to millions of young people in schools and colleges all over the UK, supporting businesses in their search for new talent while supporting young people with their search for a career, we couldn’t be more proud of what School of Thought has become.
Looking for a career contact School of Thought So that’s the reflection bit done which brings us to an exciting new year and an exciting new project STEPUP22 which is about everyone stepping up to give young people a chance and connecting with them. We are restructuring, forming even more partnerships and looking at more areas where we can recruit for the industry, bridge the Generation and Skills Gap and meet even more young people, Parents/Guardians, Teachers and Careers advisors.
www.schoolofthought.info Julie@ready4work.uk
The Ambassador
dave@ready4work.uk
Welcome to Chloe Harris our first School of Thought Junior Ambassador We hear you are in your first year studying Motorsport at Silverstone, that must be exciting? Tell us a bit about how you got into Motorsport and how you ended up doing that course? It is very exciting, especially as I got in to the course a year earlier than anticipated. I got in to Motorsport mainly through my mum as where I live there is little to no motorsport so being sat in front of the tv while Formula 1 or British Touring Cars were on, was the way to go. I was lucky enough to get a careers advisor in Year 11 who searched for anything motorsport I could do and she found the NC4M, that sealed the deal for me at the fact I could study motorsport as a college course. The course was full for 2021-2022, however I applied, within four weeks I received an email from the College asking if I was still interested in attending.
How is the course going? Are you enjoying it? The course is going really well, I am continuously learning. I am loving the course, it is exactly how I imagined it to be surprisingly.
You are the only female in your class – how does that feel? It’s nothing different to being in a class with 16 other girls really, my group and tutors treat me as an individual. There are moments Chloe Jessica Harris where I feel the need to really do well to show that I am just as capable as the guys in my class but that’s my own personal pride.
You also have a blog – tell us a bit more about it? I started up my blog only recently as I realised my Instagram page wasn’t reaching as many people within my target audience as I wanted. My blog goes a bit more in depth of what I do during a normal college day and what the course covers, while also explaining how to get ready to start at the college and more. I am hoping that it shows that if I live on a small island then anyone can access the support they need to reach their personal goal.
How can we find out more? I have a link to the blog in my Instagram bio (@the.girl_racer) which will take you straight to my page. I aim to update the blog as much as possible with relevant information.
Have you always loved cars? I wouldn’t say I’ve always loved them but I have always been surrounded by cars and motorsport, however, my passion for a long time had been performing arts until my interest in motorsport slowly grew.
What’s your dream car? My dream car at the moment is a Subaru Impreza WRX or Nissan Skyline R34. These more retro vehicles seem to catch my eye more than the modern hot-hatch car.
What discipline in Motorsport would you like to get into once you have finished the course? I would love British Touring Cars because I love how fair their races are and how close they all get with podiums changing pretty much every race and you see who the really good drivers are, however, I would also love to get in to Formula 1 as I love the aspect of travelling all over the world while doing a job I love as you get to know different tracks from around the world.
Who is your favourite Motorsport personality? I admire Jade Edwards, as she is currently the only female driver in British Touring Cars. I also follow Zoey Edenholm who races in the American Formula 4 and the Stadium Super Trucks.
We hear you are looking for work experience right now to help you with your studies – how would you “sell” yourself to a motorsport team to get a placement? What would you bring to their team by giving you an opportunity? I am ready to learn every aspect of the team. I am a hard working person who will bring knowledge learnt at college to my work environment, possibly bringing a fresh outlook.
What would you say to any young person who wanted to get into the Automotive Industry? I would say do it. No matter your age or barriers you may have, just go for it. There is so much out there to get in to within the Automotive Industry, the possibilities are endless, from local mechanic to a technician travelling around the world, which is my dream. If you really want it nothing will stop you.
You to could be a Junior Ambassador and Make a Difference. Contact us at: www.schoolofthought.info
Automotive Careers
There are over 200 different career opportunities in the one of the world most advanced industries the automotive industry. The industry has a huge variety of job roles and it’s not all spanners and sprayguns. The industry is one of the most technical in the world and changing and developing at pace. This means there are more opportunities for technical and other job roles. This is just a small selection Technicians Advisors Marketing IT Web Developers Social media Marketing HR Accounting Management Customer Service Call Centre Operatives Advertising Sales Engineering Journalists Chemists Warehousing Colourist Is you’re school or college organising a careers event and looking for industry specialists to tell your students about career opportunities in the automotive industry then contact School of Thought.
School of Thought have over 120 Ambassadors nationwide ready to attend careers events so wherever you are we can help you. Contact Dave or Julie for more information dave@ready4work.uk or Julie@ready4work.uk www.schoolofthought.info
Autotech Academy Internship Autotech Academy helps newly qualified vehicle technicians into their first job and offers: • A paid internship lasting between 3 & 12 months in a garage or maintenance repair employer • Pay you a monthly wage between £9 & £11 per hour • Equip you with brand new Teng Tools toolkit worth over £1000, which you get to keep when you successfully complete the internship • Offer you additional training • Provide you with ongoing support and a mentor at your work placement to help you with your daily tasks • Interest? Speak to the team today For more information contact us: www.autotechacademy.co.uk 01234 240503
Autotech Academy Internship Daniel’s Story: Daniel Limach 21, was keen to secure a role within the automotive industry and joined the Autotech Academy after qualifying with a level 3 Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair at New College Stamford. Enabling Daniel to put the theory he had learned at college into practice, Daniel has gained a wealth of valuable hands-on experience through the internship and he is delighted to now accept a permanent position as a technician. During the first month, two Master Technicians worked with him providing him with a good grounding in the workshop. While showing him how they worked, Daniel was also encouraged to think on his feet, ask when he needed clarification and encouraged to create his own way of working. “The Autotech Academy Internship provided me with the opportunity to get hands-on experience and put my college taught knowledge into practice. Without this opportunity, I think it may have been challenging to secure a role within the automotive industry” comments Daniel ‘The Academy team has instilled confidence within me and the toolbox has been a definite benefit – I felt ready and equipped to start my working life! The technicians here at Hartwells have been fantastic and extremely welcoming and I’m delighted to now be a permanent member of the team’
For more information contact us: www.schoolofthought.info or www.autotechacademy.co.uk
National Apprenticeships Week 2022 7th - 13th February 2022 National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Check out our 10 reasons to be an apprentice and our apprentice jobs board in this issue Why not become a School of Thought Young Ambassador and show students in schools and colleges the benefits of choosing to be an apprentice Contact us at www.schoolofthought.info Or Julie@ready4work.uk or dave@ready4work.uk
www.volvocars.com
o Our vision is to be the world’s most progressive and desired premium car brand. o To help us achieve this, we need the right people. People who share our passion for cars, our humancentric values and our commitment to safety, quality and the environment. o Our Apprenticeship Programme is the platform through which we identify and attract a new generation of Technical & Commercial talent in our UK retailer network. o The programme is suitable for ambitious candidates who are seeking to start careers in a supportive, professional environment. o By combining an industry recognised qualification and Volvo Certification, apprentices will develop the skills and competencies to thrive in our busy, retail environment. o Our programmes are open all year round at Volvo Retailers across the UK. o All of our vacancies are advertised on our website www.volvocars.com and applications are processed by our supportive Recruitment & Selection Team who are at hand to support you at all times.
10 Reasons to be an Apprentice 1, No debt. Apprenticeships don’t need loans – you get paid and get the education you need at the same time. That means compared with other routes you could start your professional life with cash in the bank and no debt.
2. You can earn while you learn That head start means you might consider buying a flat or a house years’ ahead of other routes. An apprenticeship enables financial independence and creates, security and success.
3. Tailor your own career path Each apprenticeship scheme is tailored around the needs of the employer, and you will go through a process to align your ideas with their requirements. The result will be to gain invaluable experience, and develop the key skills right from the first day, which is what employers really want.
4. The demand for apprentices The entire UK and the world beyond is experiencing a huge shortage of skilled people – and businesses globally are looking for people to fill the skills gap. The automotive industry understands the value of skilled people, apprenticeships, working with colleges and training providers to bring fresh talent into their companies
The skills, experience and qualifications gained through an apprenticeship will be the basis of a long career path.
www.schoolofthought.info
10 Reasons to be an Apprentice 5. Start your career straight from school I started my career as an apprentice motor vehicle technician in a garage and I have worked all over the world during my career. I had no idea that was possible when I started.
6. Dedicated career support Dedicated guidance, advice and long-term support are core reasons to do an apprenticeship.
An Apprenticeship can provide first-hand practical experience in their chosen industry, and build confidence in their skills and work abilities
Throughout your apprenticeship, your course providers and employer can support you from the very start. Mentors in the company you join will help you experience a wide range of jobs, help you understand which ones fit bet for you, and help you to develop. Apprenticeship course providers will also help with: • How to choose the best subjects for the most flexible career path • How to write and update your CV • How to go through a job interview
7. Gain internationally recognised qualifications Apprenticeships can provide first-hand practical experience in their chosen industry, and build confidence in their skills and work abilities Remember this is all about developing you with the best range of skills to adapt to your career, and future career choices. These skills and qualifications are recognised internationally
www.schoolofthought.info
10 Reasons to be an Apprentice 8. How to find out if your dream career is right for you? Apprentices start their courses with first-hand, practical and theoretical learning. The programmes are designed by employers, who are themselves highly knowledgeable. Your course will be structured to closely mirror the way that you will work once you have finished your apprenticeship and start your career. You will discover your dream career during this process, and that is one of the best reasons to do an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships can show you what your job and career will really be like – and if you decide it’s not for you, starting again in a different career path will be much easier, without leaving the company you joined.
9. Flexibility Apprenticeships are very flexible. Each programme has many module choices, but the Mentor is there along with the college to help you experience and then select each module. The automotive industry needs you, so they want to help you as much as possible.
10. Getting into the automotive industry When you qualify with work experience and you are in a job. Studies show that newly qualified people without work experience must apply for over 100 jobs before they can secure even one job interview. Then there’s Catch 22 – no interview, no job, no interview – and so on.
Studies show that newly qualified people without work experience must apply for over 100 jobs before they can secure even one job interview. Then there’s Catch 22 – no interview, no job, no interview – and so on. www.schoolofthought.info
www.stellantisapprenticeships.com
Your future is our future There’s nothing quite like the feeling of independence that your first car gives you. To go where you want, when you want without relying on lifts, taxis or public transport. It’s the same feeling you have when you receive your first pay check. It gives you a strong sense of independence and achievement. At The Performance Academy we are committed to giving you the best start in your career and an apprenticeship in our UK dealer network, whatever your chosen specialism, will provide you with the essential skills, knowledge and real life work exposure to kick start your career.
Apprenticeship Roles We are looking for ambitious candidates ready to take ownership of their development, work hard to achieve their potential and grow with an ambitious employer. There are lots of opportunities to develop your career; from short to long term. Your early development is carefully mapped through your Apprenticeship journey with your learning focussed toward achieving an industry recognised qualification.
www.stellantisapprenticeships.com
To get your career started contact us today.
We have the following apprenticeships opportunities available
Mechanical Technician Panel Technician Body Repair Body Repair Tonbridge Cheltenham Salisbury `` Westbury Horsham Merthyr Hereford Bristol
Polegate Bexhill on Sea Cheltenham Yeovil Pontypridd Merthyr Hereford Bristol
Paint Technician Body Repair
Multi-skilled Technician Body Repair
Portsmouth Dover Sittingbourne Tonbridge Horsham Pontypridd Merthyr Bridgend Hereford Bristol
Swansea Newport
Without Automotive the wheels stop turning – Keep the country moving with School of Thought
Contact: dave@ready4work.uk or Julie@ready4work.uk
Mirka Academy Mirka Academy provides external and internal training programmes for Mirka’s sales force, distributors, customers and staff in our state-of-the-art technology centre. Here they learn about Mirka’s solutions and best practices through hands-on experience in facilities that provide a real-life environment. Every year we train over 1000 people at our technology centre .
Steve Smith National Sales Manager
Mirka is a family-owned Finnish company and a part of the KWH Group. We have a long-standing tradition and passion for perfect surfaces. Thanks to this genuine interest and focus, Mirka has become a world leader in abrasives technology and innovation. We are the only company that develops and produces abrasives, tools and polishing compounds under the same roof. This allows us to offer a complete solution and optimise the whole sanding process.
Powered by
Danny Clarke Technical Sales Development Steve and Danny both started their careers as apprentice technicians and now have senior roles with a global company. Great careers can start from being an apprentice. If you’re thinking of an apprenticeship contact us at www.schoolofthought.info for more information
wow!
In partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company, Youth Employment UK are launching the Young Professional: #InApprenticeships free online course for current apprentices this National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 February). The course is a practical and meaningful way to support the great work being done by apprentices up and down the country. In our key joint mission to champion youth employment, we are proud to announce that the #InApprenticeships programme – which rolls career confidence and career management into one – is entirely free. #InApprenticeships is designed to help those currently in apprenticeships build their confidence and career knowledge. It complements the work employers and training providers are doing to build Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours whilst layering career management, employability skills, wellbeing and self development methods and techniques so apprentices can keep developing their skills from day one of their apprenticeship right up to their End-point Assessment and beyond. Mapped to the Gatsby Benchmarks, Skills Builder and CDI Framework, the #InApprenticeships programme ensures young people and their providers can use this free resource with confidence that it is a trusted and quality personal development programme. By The End Of The Programme Young People Will: • • • • •
Understand more about the skills needed for life and work Master the opportunities that their learning can provide Have confidence in understanding the role and responsibilities, rights and how to make work, work for them Know more about preparing for end point assessment Set goals and future plans.
Young people will receive a certificate when they complete each module which their providers can use to evidence the independent support made available to their apprentices across skills, behaviours and career development.
#InApprenticeships free online course for current apprentices this National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 Find Out More About The Course Here: February). www.youthemployment.org.uk/inapprenticeships//
THE
ROAD
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RECOVERY
WELLBEING The world has changed significantly and whilst normality may not be resumed for some time we will have to adapt to the “new normal” in the meantime. You may feel anxious or concerned about your wellbeing, the ongoing pandemic and working near other people and being around colleagues who may have been affected by the virus, all these feelings are perfectly normal. Your colleagues will probably feel the same. When you were furloughed or working from home, you may have experienced other factors which have impacted your life such as financial concerns, relationship issues, the virus itself or other issues that are affecting your wellbeing. If you have anxiety and you are feeling anxious about things, then you will need to take steps to improve your mental wellbeing. See “what can I do” for more information. Wellbeing isn’t just connected with the pandemic, but for some it has made it worse or just brought.
What are the signs of being anxious, worried, or stressed? Stress can affect anyone, male, female, young and old. It is not selective, and everyone reacts differently. In most cases it can be obvious if you are close to someone, but in your own case it is more difficult and often you don’t realise your behaviour has changed. Other people do, so don’t get offended if one of your friends or colleagues mentions something or sees a change in how you are dealing with things.
www.schoolofthought.info
What are the signs of being anxious, worried, or stressed? The list below is not exhaustive, and some people will have reactions that aren’t mentioned: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Issues with food and eating Increased or excessive drinking of alcohol Increase in smoking Increased coffee consumption Excessive and continuing irritability with other people/mood swings Substance Abuse Inability to make decisions Unable to concentrate causing mistakes and complaints Increased and suppressed anger Not be able to cope with life, feeling out of control Not finishing off a task or project/constantly missing deadlines Excessive emotion & crying at simple situations Lack of interest in anything Permanently tired even after sleep Physical symptoms caused by stress such as nail biting, stomach problems, headaches, palpitations etc Increase in absence from work, lateness or unexplained absence Recurring health issues such as toothache, tummy upsets etc Increase in near misses and accidents through lack of concentration
MIND https://www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org
Where can I get help? There are so many different places to get advice and support from. The most important thing is to talk to someone about how you are feeling.
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
HSE (Health & Safety Executive) http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/
If you can’t speak to your family, friends, colleagues or manager there are several agencies below who can help and of course there is always your GP.
What can I do to help myself? Talk to people about how you are feeling Maintain a good diet and exercise regime Use relaxation techniques if you are starting to panic.
There are lots of free aps as well which can help with sleep and just generally relaxing. Having a good night sleeps makes everything feel a bit better and allows you to focus on what you need to do
Remember……………….
Write a diary of how you are feeling and what triggers it on that day/time. There maybe a pattern which can be highlighted such as a situation or activity.
Use tools, advice, and websites to seek help
Contact your GP if you feel you need additional help
These feelings are natural with what you and many have experienced, it is not a sign of weakness, if you are experiencing any of the signs detailed above or others then talk to someone or get help. The quicker you deal with it the better you will feel. What you are feeling is what most people will be feeling too, so talk to each other.
WILL THE CAR REPAIR AND SERVICING GARAGE OF THE FUTURE LOOK DIFFERENT? CAR servicing and repair centres will change almost beyond recognition over the next 10 years and many areas will be “more akin to a clinic than a workshop” as vehicle technology keeps moving at the current rate. In a decades’ time, car centre will have ultra-clean environments crammed with incredibly advanced tech, such as augmented reality interfaces, robotic assistants, on-site 3D printers and high power density laser welding systems and advanced driver assistance system equipment.
While vehicle technicians will still use diagnostic tools when repairing vehicles, the systems at their disposal are expected to be considerably more detailed and accurate in the coming decades. With in-car tech expected to advance just as rapidly, vehicles are also likely to come with a level of self diagnosis, but will need new skills to diagnose their ‘mental health’.
Perhaps the most space-age claim of all is that mechanics could fix small issues on cars without being present. We are already using remote technology to check and re-calibrate systems and assist engineers in identifying problems on a vehicle and help the driver sort it out on a vehicle that could even be in a different country.
As Electric vehicles become more advanced and semi or completely autonomous there will be a reduction of vehicle on the roads with Internal Combustion Engines and traditional drive trains we will see the introduction of pop up service and repair centres who will specialise in EV or servicing and repairing the ‘rolling stock’, or electric motor specialist. Battery packs will require diagnosis and repair, or replacing as a mid-life update to extend the life of a car/bus/van.
The futuristic predictions will encourage a new tech-focused generation to consider a career in vehicle repair and maintenance sector We can of course expect that car service and repair centres will be very environmentally conscious; not just maintaining the car for their customers, but doing their part to help the planet for their customer’s children and grandchildren. Already we see plastics recovered from the sea and recycled, plant-based body materials and other components made from recycled materials. We are also seeing investment from the industry in eco-friendly power such as wind turbines and solar panels and companies investing in becoming Carbon Neutral.
We are seeing processing units that are similar to computer games consoles in cars now, and whereas a car in 2010 had 50 million lines of computer code, today it may have 200 million, by 2030 it may have a billion as the car is more automated, but becomes a place of work and leisure too.
While the predictions may at first look like a bit of fun it’s hoping the futuristic predictions will encourage a new tech-focused generation to consider a career in vehicle repair and maintenance sector. With technologies from NASA, and integration of Alexa, Apple, and others, the car of 2030 will mean the new technician will be at the cutting edge of sciences.
This glimpse of the future shows young people in particular the variety of careers that are evolving in engineering and the support sectors of the industry, and that it will encourage people from a wide variety of backgrounds to consider a career in this sector. It’s not all spanners and sprayguns and the support jobs are important. Design, IT, HR, Accounting, Web design and Marketing are just a few of the careers on offer with over 200 more in the industry
“With innovations like driverless cars within touching distance there is a huge space for people to work in and shape the way repairs are performed on these vehicles and the technology needed to do so.”
Calling Schools and Colleges
COMPETITION TIME
www.schoolofthought.info
It’s Competition Time – win an automotive based prize
2030 is coming fast and from 1st January 2030 all vehicle sold in the UK must be powered by electricity. We have seen some strange designs over the years with comments like the cars are ugly I wouldn’t by one, so School of Thought are giving Primary, Secondary and Special Needs students the chance to design the car for the future that you would actually think of buying.
Secondary Schools to design the vehicle of the future + Market + Promote + short video STEP 1 – Plan and design the look of your vehicle STEP 2 – Name your vehicle STEP 3 – Create a logo for your vehicle STEP 4 – What makes your ‘Future Vehicle’ different STEP 5 – Put all of these ideas together to design a fun poster and short video advertising your vehicle of the future
Primary and Special Needs schools to design a poster for the car of the future Finally send in a copy of your poster, presentation or pitch to Julie@ready4work.uk or post it in, for it to be marked by the panel of industry judges. You and your team may win the top prize of an exciting automotive day out with the School of Thought and the competition sponsors. Closing date for entries 30th April 2022
Taking technology into schools and colleges in a new unique way.
www.schoolofthought.info Issue One: Februuary 2022
Ne
Issue One January 2022
t Generation
Bringing the Automotive Industry in to schools and colleges
Contact us: dave@ready4work.uk julie@ready4work.uk www.schoolofthought.info