Leading up to Schools, Colleges and Universities going back after Summer, we have posted some information from our website. Hopefully, we have helped businesses in some shape or form about how to attract and engage with young people.
We have posted about Comm-UNITY which is all about connecting with education in your local area through STEM and our Ambassador Programme. It’s all about volunteering your time, energy, passion and experience to really make a difference by getting involved in different activities, giving hope and spreading the message about how amazing Automotive is.
We have also posted about how to search for a star #search4astar by advertising your opportunities in the right way, in the right place and at the right time. By creating a Gov.Uk account you position your business in the “go to place” for young people looking for apprenticeships, and by choosing the correct keywords you can be found more easily.
We followed this up with using technology to reach further afield, to target market different age ranges, genders, locations, and study subjects through our partner StudySmarter.
Finally, we posted about Setting the Tone for Success, which was centred around making sure you, your business, and the people in it were “work ready”. Focusing on culture, appointing the right supervisors and mentors, onboarding young people successfully, giving effective and positive feedback and ensuring they remain healthy and safe.
Where do you get support from?
We have some amazing corporate partners, who support us because it’s the right thing to do. We’ve lost others along the way who have had to cut costs due to financial restraints, we often see some of them replicating what we do, and yes, we do get a bit disappointed, but we are still extremely pleased that they are out there doing the right thing.
We rely heavily on financial support, we are not a charity, we are a CIC Community Interest Company, and receive no money raised through events or receive donations. Our funds after the British Motorshow are depleted, so we need your help.
Money is tight for everyone, and we often dip our hands into our own pockets to carry on with the work we do. We have several types of supporters, and we are opening up the chance to more people, making it more affordable in a variety of ways. Of course, you can support us by liking and sharing posts.
What do you do?
Our Ambassador programme, is free to join via the STEM route. By working with us we can ensure a consistent message is spread to education about the opportunities and entry routes within Automotive. We can help with resources, ideas, guidance and support to get the best out of your experience.
Our Corporate Partner programme has an annual fee. With this programme you can choose to have as much or as little input or support as you want. This can include setting up an ambassador programme, or supporting at events, it is as bespoke as you want it to be.
Our Associate Partner programme includes smaller businesses, who need more direct support with open days, interviewing, careers events and health, safety and safeguarding support. This is an affordable monthly fee and can be scaled up or down depending on needs.
Our Sponsor Partner programme is aimed at the events we do every year, those businesses who want to make a small donation for maximum impact, with their names and opportunities available to thousands of people, young and those more mature.
Our primary focus is young people, but we don’t just leave it there, we have helped many people looking for a change of career or a step up into something different or better. #Stepup24
But what we are is inclusive, we focus on every area within the whole of Automotive, because we believe that “Without Automotive the World stops, and without New Talent Automotive stops”.
Putting into perspective, if we all don’t pull together and focus on the next generation we will suffer as a sector, as a major contributor to the UK economy and as employers. Five years ago, we said everyone was fishing in the same talent pools, some more attractive and appealing than Automotive, those who had clearer career progression routes and better mechanisms for support. As a result of the Pandemic young people were a casualty often being let go first.
We have shouted about allied industries, recruiting and upskilling people who want a change of career, but those who have lost their career through redundancy or administration, and those that are in the business already, under the radar and unaware that they could change direction.
And we continue to shout out that we have tried and tested solutions, we offer guidance and support, we can work with businesses that want a succession plan, to grow their own and be sustainable for future generations.
We have our Go4wardtowork programme which helps employers and young people work together to navigate neurodivergence and other disabilities at work.
Our Ready4work arm of the company offers support with BS 10125, ISO 9001/14001, health, safety & wellbeing, business improvement and employee management support, all of which help drive the work we do at School of Thought by putting money in the bank.
How can I help the next generation?
So, with our FOUR Programmes, and Ready4work business, we know we can have a significant impact within a business in different areas. Improving individual, team and business performance, culture, safety and making a business more attractive and prepared for searching for the stars of the future.
Don’t forget this year we launched #AWE24 the only national work experience programme for Automotive. For it to be successful for 2025, we need more businesses to sign up to give taster sessions for young people to get their foot on the ladder of success. The sign-up process can be found on our website www.schoolofthoughtautomotive.co.uk
For a free no obligation chat contact us to find out more on dave@ready4work.uk or julie@ready4work.uk
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