MOTORSPORT ACADEMY TO PROMOTE APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT HISTORIC MOTORSPORT SHOW

The Motorsport Academy will use Race Retro, the International Historic Motorsport Show (Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, 14-16 March, 2008) to promote apprenticeship training opportunities for the motorsport industry, and the historic sector in particular.

INDUSTRY-WIDE SURVEY
The initiative has been devised in response to the disturbing findings from research commissioned by the Motorsport Academy, that 42 percent of companies operating in the UK motorsport industry have skills shortages, and that 56 percent believe that apprenticeships are the answer.

As part of its related research, the Academy recently asked over 3,000 motorsport companies to complete an on-line survey on the subject and engaged many members of the industry and public in the debate at January's Autosport International Show.

Said the Director of the Motorsport Academy, Eric Newell: "We are making progress towards a complete apprenticeship solution, but we still need more support from the industry. Even though our questionnaire was specifically designed to allow us to help the companies complaining of skills shortages, the return rate has been rather disappointing. We urgently need these companies to engage with our related research work. If they don't, I fear their problems are only likely to escalate.

"The Government supports the idea of new apprenticeships and, since the publishing of the Leitch Report, has been committed to increasing apprentice numbers. It is also prepared to make the necessary funding accessible. Provided the industry can help us ensure that educators deliver the courses required, we can begin to tackle the skills shortages of which they complain.

"Our involvement in Race Retro will give us direct access to nearly 450 key members of the historic motorsport industry sector (where there are particular skills issues) - a very valuable opportunity which we will make the most of."

EDUCATION ZONE & DISCOUNTS FOR STUDENTS
The Motorsport Academy is working with the organisers of the show to create an Education Zone, comprising the Academy itself supported by a range of motorsport educators and trainers active in the historic motorsport sector.

The Academy's stand will serve as a complimentary meeting and hospitality area for students, where they can link up with educators and trainers or potential employers, or chat freely with their colleagues. The UK's motorsport engineering students are being actively encouraged to visit the show and can enjoy a discount of £10 off the entry fee if they book in advance via the Motorsport Academy.

CAREERS & RECRUITMENT SERVICES ON OFFER
The Motorsport Academy's recently produced Careers Guide will be readily available to students visiting the show, while the Academy's recruitment and HR services (now collectively branded "Motorsport Recruitment") will be promoted to employers. These services include:
:: Jobs Board.
:: Managed Recruitment Service.
:: Outplacement.
:: Free Employment Law Compliance Checks.
:: On-site and Outsourced HR Services.
:: Employment Law Support and 24/7 Legal Telephone Helpline.

Visitors to the Show looking for jobs and careers in motorsport can also talk to the Academy's recruitment team on the stand, and leave their CV.

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATIONS & HISTORIC FORD ENGINE ON STAND
The Motorsport Academy stand will feature a variety of practical demonstrations applicable to the historic motorsport industry sector, such as coachbuilding, wheel manufacture and composite lay-ups. There will also be a Ford Escort BDA engine on display, in deference to the Escort's 40th anniversary, which is being celebrated at the show.

For further details of the Motorsport Academy and the products and services it provides for motorsport industry employers, employees, educators and students, please log onto http://www.motorsportacademy.org