The Garage 364

NEWS
OESAA Academy Live events inspire
industry professionals of tomorrow
Students taking part in the OESAA
Academy Live training roadshow
have praised the hands-on
approach of Original Equipment
Suppliers Aftermarket Association
(OESAA) members.
OESAA Academy Live shows students
and apprentices the different career
opportunities available in the automotive
sector, as well as illustrate existing and new
technologies, products, tools, technical
best practices, and diagnostics.
Following events at Trafford College,
Suffolk New College and Heat (Hybrid
Electric Automotive Training) Blackburn
College, OESAA caught-up with three
students to ask about the impact these
events could have on their studies and
future careers.
“Opened our eyes”
Jawad, from HEAT Blackburn College,
highlighted VARTA’s battery presentation,
in particular: “It was very helpful because
while we talk about batteries in class,
VARTA opened our eyes and widened our
knowledge about the different battery
types, like AGM or EFB.”
On whether he wants to forge a longterm
career in the sector, Jawad added:
“I believe the motor industry is looked
down upon; I think a lot of people think the
automotive sector is just about oil changes
– manual labour – but we’ve learned that
there is so much skill and knowledge
required. How to fix a timing belt, for
example, requires ability.
“I think I could make a lucrative career
from the automotive sector too – if I have
the knowledge!”
Kadeer, also from HEAT Blackburn
College, highlighted the broad scope of
his learning experience: “As an industry
professional, I believe in specialising in
one brand – rather than focusing on every
brand – because systems work in different
ways. The same goes for powertrains.”
Broadening horizons
At Suffolk New College, Malachi, a T-level
engineering student, highlighted how
OESAA’s experts helped expand his
understanding of the automotive sector:
“I really enjoyed hearing about all the
different aspects of engineering. It’s more
than just the mechanical side; it’s about
diagnostics and the future of automotive
technology, like hydrogen vehicles and
electric cars.”
The exposure to various pathways within
the automotive industry was particularly
interesting to Malachi: “I was never aware
of the diverse roles within the automotive
sector until OESAA Academy Live. Bosch
and Brembo opened my eyes to potential
careers I hadn’t considered before.”
OESAA hopes to inspire more apprentices
and students during its next two events,
scheduled to take place in October. Details
will be shared in due course.
For more information about OESAA, visit
oe-suppliers.org
28 THE GARAGE
28, News OESAA.indd 1 01/07/2024 16:26