Motorvate ignites industry spirit at Automechanika
Motorvate, the hands-on careers and skills hub launched at Automechanika Birmingham 2025, has been hailed as a major success - bringing inspiration and real opportunity to the show floor.
Hosted from 3rd - 5th June at the NEC Birmingham, Motorvate drew in thousands of students, apprentices, garage and bodyshop owners and educators from across the UK, energising the event with a festival-style atmosphere that blended serious skills development with interactivity, prizes and fun.
From electric vehicle challenges and simulator races to technical fault-finding, design tasks and live demonstrations, the hub attracted thousands of visitors who left with greater confidence, new connections, and a clearer view of the careers available across the automotive aftermarket.
The Ignite Arena at Motorvate was a buzzing focal point throughout the three-day show, hosting panels, interviews and informal talks with industry leaders and influencers including Bosch Training Solutions, Autotech Academy, Kwik Fit, Castrol, and LKQ UK & Ireland. Highlights included motorsport Q&As, student panels, and inspiring sessions with personalities like Edd China and NAPA Racing UK driver Dan Rowbottom, alongside tech-focused talks from Toyota & Lexus Academy and Autotech Group.
As well as providing a platform for discovery and discussion, Motorvate also hosted two landmark moments for the industry. On Tuesday 3rd June the Thirty Under 30 Award winners were announced and received their awards, celebrating rising stars from across the aftermarket and spotlighting future leaders making an impact in garages, workshops, and businesses today.
Plus, on Wednesday 4th June, Motorvate, in partnership with Mission Community, played host to the Armed Forces Covenant Signing Ceremony, where businesses from across the sector formally pledged to support veterans and service leavers in building careers in the automotive industry.
James Cameron, CEO of Mission Community, commented: "Automechanika Motorvate was a powerful platform to bring the automotive industry and the Armed Forces community closer together. It’s clear there’s huge potential when we connect world-class technical talent with a sector that thrives on precision, innovation and resilience. We’re proud to be part of the journey and excited to see where these partnerships lead in the future."
With activations such as Bosch’s Find the Fault diagnostics challenge, Autotech’s Beat the Pro racing simulator, and the IMI Skills Competition Showcase , Motorvate gave visitors the chance to put their knowledge to the test and win prizes including consoles, training vouchers, BTCC tickets and more.
Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham, added: “Motorvate represents everything we believe the industry needs right now – energy, inspiration and opportunity. And it sure did deliver! We had fantastic support from exhibitors, sponsors and colleges alike – and that support played a huge part in the success of the arena this year. We are already in the planning stages for the next show and can’t wait to build on this year’s success to bring even more exciting opportunities to the sector!”
Motorvate has been praised for its impact in bridging the gap between education and employment and showcasing the full scope of career opportunities across diagnostics, logistics, engineering, marketing, customer service and technical roles.
Simon King, CEO, Autotech Group, added: “As proud sponsors of Motorvate, Autotech Group was delighted to support this year’s event, with Autotech Academy at the forefront, championing the next generation of automotive talent. There was a great energy at the event, with a host of interactive initiatives that captured the enthusiasm of students and tutors alike and we were particularly pleased to take part in the panel discussions, which provided valuable opportunities to address the industry’s skills challenges and highlight solutions. Events like Motorvate play a crucial role in bridging the gap between education and employment, and we were proud to contribute to such a dynamic and impactful experience.”
Doug Elliott, Head of Employee Engagement at ETEL, added: “Motorvate at Automechanika Birmingham 2025 was a brilliant showcase of how the automotive industry can engage and inspire future talent. Its hands-on format, backed by leading employers and training providers, creates real momentum around skills development and career pathways. It was especially encouraging to see so many college students actively exploring opportunities - this kind of exposure is vital for bringing fresh energy into the sector. The event also offered excellent networking opportunities with organisations that share our ambition to do more within local communities, helping us build meaningful partnerships for long-term impact.”