AutoRaise - the vehicle repair industry charity – has congratulated the Motofix Group team on a brilliant Industry Showcase Event at their Yeovil accident repair centre. The event was a resounding success, attracting 82 potential new apprentices and helping to inspire 13-18 year olds with an educational insight into the industry, thanks to a number of leading repair and refinish suppliers.
Providing a practical and hands-on experience is what AutoRaise Industry Showcase Events uniquely offer. The list of companies providing support on the evening is testament to the appetite in the industry to address the chronic skills shortage: Audatex, DeVilbiss, Elevation, LKQ, Mirka, Morelli, Powertec, PPG, Pro-Align, Radical Equipment, R-M , Stanners and U-POL.
Representatives from Bridgwater College and S&B were on hand to offer information and advice on which training courses would best suit attendees and insurer, esure, also backed the event, providing the Sheila's Wheels vehicle (a 1957 Ford Mercury Monterey Convertible) from their recent advertising campaign.
"We were delighted that the Motofix event went so well and attracted so much interest from local young people," Bob Linwood, Chief Executive Officer, AutoRaise. "This is another example that our Industry Showcase Events are an established way of promoting our industry to young people. The enquiries about becoming an apprentice have also confirmed that when we take this approach, young people do see the vehicle repair industry as a great career destination.
"I know that Richard and his team worked tirelessly to deliver a great event and we are very proud to have Motofix as a key supporter to the industry charity. We are also looking forward to the other forthcoming events and we continue to attract interest from repairers who want to host their own AutoRaise Industry Showcase event."
Richard Tutt, Managing Director of the Motofix Group, said, "AutoRaise gave us the inspiration and confidence to host our first apprentice showcase event, and we are delighted with how well the evening went. There was a great turn-out of young people, who all showed an interest and excitement in the automotive industry. We are proud to be working with AutoRaise to attract future technicians into our industry."
It's essential that the industry gets behind addressing the skills shortage, whether it be taking on new apprentices, hosting Industry Showcase Events or simply helping to spread the word.