StarterMotor’s aim is ultimately to kickstart careers in the classic car industry for young people with petrol in their veins. We do this in several ways, not least by sharing stories about career journeys in the sector and highlighting what working in this industry can provide.... introducing the StarterMotor Spark Workshop ✨

We recently had the opportunity to deliver an interactive workshop to Management and Administration T-Level students at The City of Oxford College. What was originally planned as an hour-long session, turned into two-hours of engaging discussion with a group of young students, giving us the opportunity to challenge them with a business task, but also to introduce them to the classic and historic motoring world and the range of career pathways it offers. 

This was a first for me. In my short time with the Charity, we've hosted career days and interacted with students at careers fairs, but I’ve never had the opportunity to run a session like this. With an open brief, we got thinking.

Enter 'Oxford AutoFest' - a fictional car show and the core case study for the students' practical activity. The class was split into three groups, each tasked with a challenge that required critical thinking, research and decision-making. Everything fed into a scenario that mirrored real-world industry activity – we wanted to give everyone a deeper understanding of the sector.

We understood what the students would find enjoyable. There was a big emphasis on relevancy for the majority, regardless of the level of knowledge of and interest in the Internal Combustion Engine (though 60% of the class declared a preference for ICE vs electric)! Discussions focused on traditional and non-traditional marketing approaches, with a seeding of industry knowledge enhancing conversations.

The result? 23 students with a greater understanding that: 

🛠️ Mechanical-related careers aren't the only option within this sector - it's an eco-system with a range of roles that need protecting.

💭 Thorough and targeted activation is key to a successful marketing campaign.

⚖️ Measuring success of a campaign is vital to ensure lessons are learned and efficiency of future campaigns is optimised.

🏁 While the sector celebrates heritage, modern thinking is essential for its survival.

We set out to open the eyes and minds of the next generation to what the classic and historic sector can deliver.  A post-event survey delivered some rewarding results:

• 90% of students thought the session was engaging and relevant
• 75% of the group enjoyed the practical activity
• 70% left with a greater understanding of career opportunities within the classic and historic motoring sector

The session was both enjoyable and educational for us too!