Industry leaders unveil inaugural Automotive Experience Week 

The School of Thought Automotive, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and Autotech Academy are collaborating to launch the industry’s first ever Automotive Experience Week. 

Taking place from 15-19 April, AWE24 is being introduced to address the industry’s 22,000-vacancy skills gap.  

It is a call to action and throughout the week employers will be encouraged to offer a week’s placement for at least one young person during the year.  

AWE24 will also promote the industry as an exciting career choice highlight the benefits to employers of investing time into new talent. 

Dave Reece, founder of The School of Thought Automotive, said, “In today’s fast-changing automotive world, the importance of attracting and retaining young talent cannot be overstated. The automotive industry is steeped in myths and perceptions, with many believing there are limited progression opportunities. Through AWE24, our united aim is to change this narrative and showcase the automotive sector as an innovative, diverse, and exciting career route and attract a new generation. 

“We need to work collaboratively as an industry to attract young people to the automotive sector before they enter further education and work experience is a vital way to achieve this. Therefore, we are encouraging as many organisations as possible to sign up and commit to offering at least one young person one week’s work experience placement in 2024.”