The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association has announced it will be looking to carry the momentum from its maiden OESAA Academy Live event to Castleford College.
The free training days will take place on the 24 and 25 February, with apprentices and professionals able to bolster their experience and knowledge.
More than 60 students attended the session at Lincoln College. They were presented with talks from OESAA members’ personnel, all of whom shared their diverse career pathways and illustrated potential routes into the automotive industry. Students were also offered a front-row seat to the evolution of vehicle and product technology, and diagnosis and repair.
The following day, trade professionals were welcomed and were presented with topics and messages delivered by experts from Brembo, DENSO, VARTA, HELLA, MAHLE, and Schaeffler.
The workshop area was a hive of activity during the two days too, with delegates conversing with representatives from Laser Tools and ZF, as well as Sarah Tribe from industry charity BEN and Jim Lang from Garage Services Online.
OESAA Chairman, Nigel Morgan, was delighted with the levels of engagement and interest, and he hopes that passion will inspire a large attendance at Castleford College. He said: “It was fantastic to sit and listen to the discussions, particularly among the students. Some already had tremendous knowledge and enthusiasm for the industry. In fact, the conversations in the sessions went on for so long that some overrun!
“When we launched OESAA Academy Live, we believed interest would be high, and I hope the first effort will attract more apprentices and professionals to Castleford and other events in the future. I would like to thank the staff from Lincoln College and, in particular, Pete Jackson. He was instrumental in gathering the large footfall and ensuring our first event was a success.”
At Castleford, the brands will be present once more, providing opportunities for apprentices and professionals. They can be hands-on, get to grips with the latest technologies and learn new practice techniques.
Heart of Yorkshire Education Group Curriculum Development Manager, Gareth Mitchell, commented: “We need to inspire, not just the young people of this generation, but also others and dispel the myth that this industry is not what it used to be. It is a technical industry that requires a plethora of individual skills. To do this, we need passionate people that will bring different skills to the table and help it move forward.
“By hosting events like OESAA Academy Live within the college, it allows the collaboration of two sectors, education and automotive, to work together. It allows the passage of information to industry personnel and our students. They will inevitably spread the valuable lessons and information gained to the wider industry and beyond.”
