As we approach the final quarter of 2026, and with the new academic year underway, careers activity is now a major part of StarterMotor’s work. It has also given us an opportunity to reflect on how significantly our activities have evolved over recent years, and, importantly, how we have effectively refocused our efforts around our mission: securing the future workforce of the historic automotive industry.

The shift is clear. In 2024, we attended just three careers’ events, primarily in Bicester and involving local schools. Careers activity represented 14% of the 21 events we attended that year.

In 2025, that increased to 13 careers events, representing 38% of our total activity. Our reach also expanded, with involvement across multiple counties and with schools, colleges, local authority Enterprise organisations and museums. Our support developed beyond traditional careers fairs to include mock interviews, Human Library sessions and more direct engagement with young people.

This year, we are on track to deliver or attend 21 careers-based activities, as part of our busiest year to-date, with 44 events in total. That means careers activity will account for almost half of everything we do and, across the academic year, equates to almost one careers engagement every two weeks.  For a full-time operational team of just two people, that represents a significant expansion in both our activity and our reach.

But the numbers only tell part of the story.  Perhaps the most rewarding outcome has been our growing visibility within schools and colleges. As our involvement becomes established at key annual events, students are increasingly recognising StarterMotor and returning to continue conversations they started with us previously.

We regularly hear from young people who have acted on advice given months earlier, whether that means researching a particular career path, exploring work experience, or simply finding new ways to learn about classic vehicles and the skills involved in maintaining them.

For some, that first conversation may be their first meaningful interaction with someone working in the historic automotive sector. What might seem like a relaxed discussion can help build confidence, develop communication skills and, importantly, spark an ambition to pursue a career in an industry they may previously not have considered.

And increasingly, we are seeing those conversations translate into tangible outcomes.  Since mid-2025, we have mentored nearly 80 young enthusiasts and facilitated around 50 work experience opportunities. Most recently, two of those young people have secured jobs in the industry, both within the last six weeks.

That is the real measure of our progress. Our aim isn't simply to attend more events or talk to more young people. It is to create meaningful pathways from interest, to experience, to skills and ultimately to employment.

Every young person who takes that next step brings us closer to achieving our mission and helps ensure there is a future generation ready to keep the historic automotive sector moving forwards.