AutoRaise has announced the launch of the AutoYouth Alliance (AYA), a new national initiative designed to give apprentices and young technicians a meaningful voice in shaping the future of the automotive repair industry.
Launching during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, the AutoYouth Alliance brings together apprentices, newly qualified technicians and rising young stars from across the UK to share their experiences, challenge perceptions of apprenticeships, and contribute directly to industry conversations around skills, training and inclusion.
The Alliance has been created in response to ongoing skills shortages across the automotive sector and a growing recognition that young people are often talked about, but rarely heard, in discussions about careers and workforce development.
A platform for real voices
AYA members will take part in regular virtual sessions and an annual in-person event, creating content, contributing to consultations, and offering insight to employers, training providers and industry partners. The focus areas include the perception of apprenticeships, inclusivity, communication between employers and learners, mental health, and the modernisation of training.
The aim is not only to raise the profile of apprenticeships, but to ensure they are more visible, aspirational and representative of the young people entering the industry today.
Leadership and industry support
The AutoYouth Alliance will be jointly chaired by Isaac Marriott of The Smallest Cog, one of AutoRaise’s patrons, alongside Marcus Rafael from chemical giants BASF, who are a major supplier of paint to the automotive industry.
The launch event for the AutoYouth Alliance is being sponsored by Vizion, the UK’s largest repair network, demonstrating strong industry backing for the initiative and its long-term vision.
Employers who have proposed their young people for the AutoYouth Alliance include: Steer Group, The Vella Group, Admiral, Car-O-Liner, Acorn, BASF and National Accident Repair (Vizion).
If you’re an employer, apprentice, partner, or educator who believes in building a stronger, more inclusive future for automotive, we’d love to have you involved.
Email the AutoRaise team: enquiries@autoraise.co.uk
