The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2026 is reaffirming its commitment to supporting the next generation of talent as part of National Careers Week, with its dedicated student programme at the show, in partnership with Autotech Recruit and School of Thought, designed to inspire, inform and connect young people with career opportunities across the sector.
Taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, on 3rd and 4th June 2026, the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will welcome students from across the UK to take part in a tailored programme created to address the industry’s ongoing skills and talent gap. The initiative reflects the event’s wider mission to champion careers, education and long-term workforce development at a time when the sector is experiencing rapid technological change.
Developed in collaboration with industry partners Autotech Recruit and School of Thought, the student programme is designed to give young people real insight into the breadth of roles available within the industry – from technical and engineering pathways to technology, diagnostics and future-focused careers.
Students attending the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event can register for a free ticket to the event here. By attending they will be able to follow the dedicated programme packed with interactive and engaging sessions. Highlights include a podcast-style talk exploring career pathways and the technologies shaping the future of the industry. There will also be a live interview with 12-year-old Ben, who is rebuilding a Mini from scratch with his dad, Gary, and practical sessions focused on entering the aftermarket to build a fulfilling, long-term career.
Commenting on the initiative, Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, said: “National Careers Week is about opening eyes to opportunity, and that’s exactly what the student programme at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event is designed to do. The automotive sector offers a huge range of rewarding careers, and we know there’s a skills gap that needs addressing. By working with partners like AutoTech Recruit and School of Thought, we’re giving students access to real stories, real people and real pathways into the industry.”
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will also be offering students an opportunity to visit its Ignite Arena, which formed part of Motorvate at Automechanika Birmingham 2025. Designed with a brand-new, refined interactive format, the dynamic space will help to inspire and connect students, educators, career changers and brands, showcasing the breadth of opportunities in the automotive aftermarket to address and support the growing skills and talent gap.
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event returns to the NEC in June this year, bringing together leading brands to showcase the latest tools, technology and training for the garage, bodyshop and detailing sectors. Registration is open now and free for trade visitors, for tickets visit here.
National Careers Week runs from 2nd to 7th March, focusing on the theme ‘Own Your Future’ to empower students to take ownership of their career journeys, build stories and insights, learn skills and make more informed decisions.
