1. Talking with the kids
We’re working with educational not-for-profit organisation Primary Engineer on an interactive project across 10 primary schools in the next academic year. Ten volunteer engineers will link up with schoolchildren to start them on their #MotorCareers journey with an interactive Q&A session led by their teachers.
2. Part of the curriculum
We offer free lesson plans for schools mapped to the curriculum that support the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance. These lesson plans are in maths, ICT, literacy and business studies, and all have a real-life automotive backdrop. For example, ratios are linked to paint ratios, and angles to 4×4 vehicles.
3. Real skills
New for 2023 are the ‘Life Skills’ activities. Based on drag racing and buying a car, the aim is to put life skills into real-life situations to support young people in budgeting successfully and understanding how to use their money effectively. It also gets them thinking about the automotive industry.
4. Getting competitive
Fun activities and competitions form a core part of encouraging young people to look more closely at automotive. Using creativity and imagination is part of the ‘Design a Vehicle of the Future’ competition, which is aimed at primary school children. Organised in partnership with Sytner Careers. It encourages young people to think about the environmental impact and target audience of their vehicle while creating new perspectives on the future of the industry.
5. Hands on
Career fairs and talks form a staple part of inspiring the next generation. Working on the theory that people need to ‘See it to be it’, we use 360º videos and virtual reality headsets to immerse children in what automotive can offer. If you are interested in supporting this vital aspect of careers education, we can support you with training to deliver a valuable and meaningful talk, along with all the resources and tools you need to complete CSR days and CPD credits.
6. Work experience
The IMI fully supports pupils in becoming work-ready with a series of employability skills toolkits and work experience support guides. Working alongside the NCW Foundation, the IMI offers direct help to employers to provide work tasters or experiences of the workplace to a wider spread of young people.
7. Becoming a member
With over 20,000 student members, the IMI encourages this vital section of the membership to achieve, succeed and progress though our tailored student membership offering.
8. Partnerships
We work with a number of automotive sector partners to support those with a full-time qualification to find a route into the working environment though paid internships.
9. The best of the best
We showcase talent through our IMI Skills Competitions in partnership with World Skills UK, as we hunt for the top talent in the sector, covering light and heavy vehicles as well as paint and refinishing. But it isn’t just about the IMI competition as the winners can then move on to the WorldSkills finals as part of Team UK against an international cast of automotive stars.
10. Changing perceptions
New for 2023, the IMI Perception Campaign follows on from the results of the IMI Diversity Taskforce perception report, which found that automotive isn’t always seen as the go-to career choice for some sections of society. That needs to change, especially with a 4% vacancy rate in the sector. But to change perceptions and encourage more people into automotive, we need people and companies to get involved by highlighting the stars of the industry with case studies, stories and the exciting range of vacancies available.
To get involved with the IMI’s work to inspire a new generation of talent, visit www.autocity.org.uk, the one-stop-shop for impartial careers information and advice on careers in the automotive industry. Alternatively, email careers@theimi.org.uk for more information on any of the initiatives