Partnership is not a posture but a process – a continuous process that grows stronger each year as we devote ourselves to common tasks.
John F Kennedy
School of Thought needs the industry, and the industry needs School of Thought.
Together we are making a difference
Dave Reece
Automechanika Birmingham 2025 MOTORVATE. Attracting the next generation.
Vizion Kinetic 25
Working with
Since School of Thought was created our partners have been important to enable us to achieve the amazing growth in the number of young people we have connected with.
Together our reach has increased to over three million young people in the UK alone and allows us to even target market to different age groups and even selected post codes.
The more partners we have supporting School of Thought the more we can promote careers in the industry and influence new talent to consider automotive as their career choice.
In 2025 we will continue to meet young people in schools, colleges and communities and support industry events like Automechanika Birmingham MOTORVATE and Vizion KINETIC plus our annual appearance at The British Motorshow in August
Having partners from a wide variety of sectors of the industry in our Partners area on the website is giving young people the chance to see the types of careers available to them and dispelling the myth that a mechanic is the only job on offer. Take a look at www.schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk
www.schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk
Firing up the skills conversation – portal for work experience pledges remains open
The first-ever Automotive Work Experience Week (AWE), led by the School of Thought Automotive, The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), and Autotech Academy, successfully ignited a critical conversation within the automotive sector
Held across one week in April, AWE aimed to address the pressing skills gap affecting the industry, which currently stands at almost 18,000. The initiative captured significant attention, generating over 8,000 visits to the School of Thought Automotive’s website during the week.
While AWE served as a vehicle to promote work experience and encourage company participation, moving forward, it will become Automotive Work Experience (AWE) Programme a platform to highlight the importance of careers within the automotive industry
Providing young people with 'experiences of the workplace' also supports Gatsby Benchmark 6 which encapsulates the need for every student to have the opportunity for work experience by the age of 16 and an additional opportunity by age 18.
Sign-up portal
Laying the groundwork for substantial change, while opening automotive businesses up to the importance of work experience, in April a dedicated portal was launched via the School of Thought Automotive’s website which enabled automotive businesses to sign up and pledge work experience to at least one young person across the course of a year.
Significantly, these placements can be shaped to suit the needs of the business and take any form, from a day to a week or even a few hours a week.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A Taste of the Industry
By pledging work experience, businesses have the unique opportunity to contribute to the industry's evolution while engaging with and inspiring the next generation of automotive professionals.
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,
Work experience initiatives like AWE offer invaluable exposure to school-age children at a crucial time when they are making decisions about their future careers. These programs illuminate the rewarding opportunities available within the automotive sector, from technical and mechanical roles to positions in management.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Finding our Future Talent
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.”
For more information on how to sign up visit Work Experience – Automotive School of Thought (schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk)
The IMI and Autotech Academy have united with School of Thought Automotive to directly connect school-age children, schools, and guardians with employers and launch Automotive Work Experience Week (AWE) encouraging employers within the sector to offer a work experience placement for at least one young person in 2024.
At the heart of AWE lies the mission to connect school pupils with the automotive sector and showcase it as an exciting career route
This could be the most important thing you do this year.
Employers, Have you an opportunity available for a young person? If the answer is yes register at www.schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk or email dave@ready4work.uk
About Ben
Ben supports people to navigate life’s challenges, helping them make positive, lasting changes to their lives. We work with individuals & companies to improve people's health and wellbeing.
Our life-changing support empowers people to take control of their health and wellbeing so they live well. We can support through a crisis and help people with their mental health, physical health & their wellbeing.
Ben also operates flexible, continuing care and support for those in later life, which is not dependent on an automotive industry connection. This includes excellent nursing, residential, dementia and respite care.
We're here to help people create a better tomorrow.
• 1.Reach: Connect with 2.4 million UK & over 21 million students and graduates around the globe • 2.Relevance: Create your customised target audience with advanced filtering options • 3.Engagement: Integrate your brand into the learning process for best-in-class performance • 4.Education: Create a win-win by working with us and enabling free access to digital education
SATA products set new standards in the field of coating technology. With the high quality product range of SATA, you are perfectly equipped for any coating challenge. In addition to outstanding spray guns,
SATA also offers cup systems, breathing protection and filter technology. Moreover, SATA produces various spare parts, additional products and accessories to support you in your painting work in the best possible way
Spray Guns
No matter which model you choose - you can be sure: With a SATA paint spray gun, you have a top-class product in your hand.
Cup Systems
The SATA RPS cup system simplifies your daily work, significantly increases your productivity and drastically reduces the consumption of cleaning agents and solvents. But you are also well equipped with SATA reusable cups.
Breathing Protection
SATA breathing protection equipment - whether full face respirator or half mask - provides maximum protection, enhanced lifetime and increased wearer comfort to preserve your health without restricting your mobility, thus ensuring perfect results.
Filter Technology
A well-functioning compressed-air system requires a filter unit that can meet the needs of professional painting work. The requirements for air processing differ depending on the application and area of use: SATA has a suitable solution for every case.
NEW PARTNER
The GEA’s aim is to act as a single focal point for our members, representing their interests within the Automotive Industry, and in liaison with other professional bodies and Government organisations.
Networking
At Kinetic, you will be immersed in a dynamic community of peers, featuring CEOs, repairers, partners, insurers, and delegates from top vehicle manufacturers. You will also have the opportunity to engage, converse, and relax during our wellattended evening gatherings.
It all began in 1948. We started out as a small garage and workshop where our founding members, Richard Woodhouse and Henry Barton, worked tireless hours to service and repair the cars of Stapleford.
70+ years later, Sandicliffe has expanded to an awardwinning motor group, managed under the same family values as it was in 1948.
At Sandicliffe we have a place for everyone with a wide range of job roles from working hands-on as a technician, working face to face with our customers as a salesperson to being more involved behind the scenes working in administration. We have four locations, all housing multiple different dealerships so you can apply for a job or apprenticeship with us at a location that suits you best!
Dealerships Across the Midlands
We are proud to be a family of 9 award-winning car dealerships offering you the very best of Ford, Nissan, Mazda, MG and INEOS. Our locations include Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough.
Creating a truly inclusive industry means understanding applicants from many sectors including disabled applicants.
School of Thought have developed a personal profile document for people with disabilities to use to inform potential employers of their abilities.
This also includes a simple to understand brochure for employers enabling them to understand the abilities of the applicant and adjustments that might need to be implemented.
Created by our in-house expert Susan Allan we believe it will make it easier for employers and applicants.
This information will be available very soon on our new website.
Disability Guide
Created by Susan Allen - Higher Cert
Our People. Our Pride. Our Greatest Assets.
LKQ Euro Car Parts is the UK’s leading distributor of car and LCV parts, specialising in three key markets – trade, retail and collision. The business has expanded rapidly across the UK and Republic of Ireland in recent years, boasting more than 280 branches and stocking more than 130,000 different parts. LKQ Euro Car Parts also trades through LKQ Bodyshop, LKQ Leisure and Marine and Digraph.
LKQ Euro Car Parts is part of LKQ Europe (a subsidiary of LKQ Corporation), which is the leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts for cars, commercial vans and industrial vehicles in Europe. LKQ Europe currently employs approximately 26,000 people with a network of 1,000 branches. The organisation supplies around 100,000 independent workshops in over 20 European countries.
We’re working hard to support the future of the automotive aftermarket through our LKQ Academy, future skills, diversity and inclusion and being a supportive partner of choice
The friendly and honest team at Premier Group make car repairs, servicing and maintenance stress-free. The Premier service includes vehicle collection service, courtesy cars, on-line booking and a clean, warm and comfortable waiting area with complimentary refreshments.
All customers are given the Premier service at Premier Group including both private customers, insurance customers and fleet/company car users and operators including Finnings, Virgin, Red Bull, Amey, Npower, NHS, JCB, British Gas, Openreach and Ideal Standard.
Built with Passion, Driven by Quality.
Premier Group is an award winning, independent, family run business providing a complete car repairs, servicing and maintenance service. Based in Hednesford, Cannock, the business was established in 2002 and has grown from a single industrial unit to now offer multiple services across the 4 dedicated, linked industrial units.
Premier Group was created with a desire to set new service standards for the motor trade. Ever member of the team are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service to ensure visits to Premier Group are stress free.
Every aspect of car maintenance, servicing, repair and enhancement is provided by Premier Group.
Premier Group continually invests in its team and tools to maintain the highest standards of workmanship and service. All staff are well trained, all equipment purchased is to a high dealer-level standard, and its excellent customer service levels are maintained through regular client feedback.
Find out more about the award-winning Body Repairs, Mechanical Repairs and Valeting & Detailing services provided by Premier Group or call the friendly team on 01543 426378.
What do you want to do when you leave school?
This is a very difficult question to answer for many. For Phil Ashley, owner of Premier Group, he was very clear. Phil wanted to work with cars. He had a passion for cars and wanted his career to be in the automotive industry.
Premier Apprenticeships
Having forged a career in the industry Phil is now looking to help passionate young people enter the industry to fill the skills void.
Phil has built Premier Group from a small mechanical service; to now providing complete car care with dedicated workshops for mechanical repairs, MOT testing, body repairs and valeting & detailing.
Why Premier Group partnered with School of Thought?
Phil is a proud partner of The School of Thought, a not-for-profit organisation committed to reversing the skills shortage in the vehicle repair industry. They work together with, local schools and colleges with student talks, open days and student site visits to present the vehicle repair industry to young people as a realistic alternative to other employment opportunities.
What areas of the automotive industry are covered?
An apprenticeship at Premier Group ensures access to a wide range of services for a well-rounded experience. Learning will take place in the body shop, mechanical garage and valeting & detailing studio and, also at Sandwell College of FE automotive department a leading college delivering apprentice training. Premier offers to ‘try before you buy’ with work experience leading into the apprenticeship that will suit you, with the opportunity to spend a couple of days in each sector to see what you think of it.
Learn how mechanical work is not just about changing parts, it also involves dealing with engine & electrical problems and diagnosing why the cars do not perform as they should. Learn about how a vehicle is taken from accident damage to being re-engineered and back on the road
Experience and learn how to engage with customers face to face and be able to talk about the work they want doing on their vehicles.
Find out more about the award-winning Body Repairs, Mechanical Repairs and Valeting & Detailing services provided by Premier Group or call the friendly team on 01543 426378.
