{"id":66992,"date":"2025-07-28T08:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-diverse-rising-stars-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T08:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T12:18:07","slug":"celebrating-diverse-rising-stars-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-diverse-rising-stars-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Diverse Rising Stars Shaping the Future of the Automotive Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

How Are the Drivers of Change Awards Shaping the Future of Automotive Careers?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered how the automotive industry is opening its doors to fresh faces and new perspectives, the return of the Drivers of Change awards is a story you\u2019ll want to follow. This isn\u2019t just another industry accolade\u2014it\u2019s a movement that\u2019s helping to redefine what a successful automotive career looks like, especially for those who\u2019ve traditionally been left out of the conversation.<\/p>\n

What Makes This Year\u2019s Awards Different?<\/p>\n

This November, the spotlight will shine even brighter on emerging talent from backgrounds that haven\u2019t always had a seat at the table. Hosted in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) at Stellantis\u2019s UK headquarters in Coventry, the second edition of Drivers of Change is all about celebrating apprentices and early-career professionals\u2014those in their first two years on the job.<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s the twist: there are no rigid categories or boxes to tick. Anyone who\u2019s made a meaningful impact in their first role, especially if they\u2019ve come from an under-represented background, is eligible. It\u2019s less about fitting a mold and more about recognizing real stories of growth, grit, and fresh thinking.<\/p>\n

Why Is Diversity in Automotive So Important Right Now?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it\u2014the automotive world has long struggled with diversity. According to a 2023 report from the Automotive Council UK, women made up just 16% of the sector\u2019s workforce, and ethnic minorities were similarly under-represented. Yet, research from McKinsey & Company shows that companies with more diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially. The message is clear: diversity isn\u2019t just a buzzword; it\u2019s a business imperative.<\/p>\n

By celebrating those from all walks of life, the Drivers of Change awards are sending a powerful message: the future of mobility needs everyone\u2019s voice. Whether you\u2019re from a small town, a different country, or a background that\u2019s rarely seen in boardrooms, your perspective matters\u2014and it can drive real innovation.<\/p>\n

Who Can Be Nominated, and How Does It Work?<\/p>\n

This year, the nomination process is refreshingly simple. If you know someone\u2014maybe it\u2019s a colleague, a mentee, or even yourself\u2014who\u2019s made a difference early in their automotive career, now\u2019s the time to put their name forward. There\u2019s no need to worry about which category they fit into. The focus is on the story: how have they contributed, what challenges have they overcome, and how are they helping to reshape the industry?<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, 40 individuals were recognized for their work, many of them leading the charge on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Their stories ranged from launching grassroots mentorship programs to pioneering new approaches in engineering and design. The outcome? Game-changing.<\/p>\n

How Do These Awards Fit Into the Bigger Picture?<\/p>\n

The Drivers of Change awards are just one part of a broader push to make the automotive sector more inclusive and dynamic. Each spring, the industry also celebrates the Autocar Great Women event, which highlights rising stars and established leaders alike. By alternating between these two events, the industry is building a year-round platform for recognizing talent and encouraging more people to see automotive as a place where they can thrive.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the Real Impact for Young Professionals?<\/p>\n

For someone just starting out, being named a Driver of Change isn\u2019t just a line on a CV\u2014it\u2019s a launchpad. Past winners have reported increased visibility, new networking opportunities, and even career-defining job offers. More importantly, it\u2019s a signal to others that the industry is changing for the better.<\/p>\n

A recent survey by the Institute of the Motor Industry found that 68% of young people would be more likely to consider a career in automotive if they saw people like themselves succeeding. Recognition programs like Drivers of Change are helping to make that a reality.<\/p>\n

How Can You Get Involved or Support the Movement?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re part of the automotive world, this is your chance to champion someone who\u2019s making a difference. Spread the word in your organization. Nominate someone whose story deserves to be heard. Or, if you\u2019re early in your own career, don\u2019t be shy\u2014share your journey. The industry needs your voice.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re outside looking in, consider this: the automotive sector is evolving fast. With the rise of electric vehicles, digital technologies, and new business models, there\u2019s never been a better time for fresh ideas and diverse perspectives.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead: Why This Matters More Than Ever<\/p>\n

The Drivers of Change awards aren\u2019t just about trophies or titles. They\u2019re about building a future where anyone, regardless of background, can find a place\u2014and a purpose\u2014in the world of mobility. As the industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities, it\u2019s the new voices, the bold thinkers, and the trailblazers from all walks of life who will shape what comes next.<\/p>\n

So, whether you\u2019re nominating someone, cheering from the sidelines, or considering your own first steps into automotive, remember: change starts with people. And the road ahead is wide open.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\"DOC<\/a><\/p>\n

Drivers of Change awards return to celebrate new automotive talent from under-represented backgrounds<\/p>\n

\n

Autocar\u2019s Drivers of Change awards will return on 13\u00a0November following a successful launch earlier this year and<\/span>\u00a0this time will champion diverse talent in the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

Held in association with the SMMT at Stellantis’s UK\u00a0headquarters in Coventry, the second edition of Drivers of Change will celebrate\u00a0new talent\u00a0from across the industry \u2013 individuals who are either apprentices or in the first two years of their career.<\/p>\n

The goal of Drivers of Change is to celebrate\u00a0the automotive industry as a place where you can have a thriving career irrespective of your background and to promote the industry as a great place to work for those from all different\u00a0backgrounds.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the second edition of these\u00a0awards,\u00a0Drivers of Change: New Talent<\/strong><\/em>, that can be as simple as having started and made an impact in a first role in the industry – having joined, for example, from a background that is typically under-represented in the industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We encourage you to spread the word and consider nominating anyone from your wider organisation \u2013 no matter which\u00a0sector of the automotive industry \u2013\u00a0who meets these broad criteria and has a compelling story to tell.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Entries are now open – submit your nomination here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There will be no specific categories in which to enter and anyone named on our list can\u00a0call themselves an Autocar Driver of Change. Earlier this year, 40 individuals were named in the inaugural Autocar Drivers of Change for their work mainly in DEI initiatives, in a ceremony at the SMMT headquarters in February.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This forms part of a refreshed calendar of events at Autocar. Each spring we will continue to host Autocar Great Women, which every other year will celebrate Rising Stars. Drivers of Change\u00a0will follow a similar cadence in this new autumn slot, where it will remain in future years.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":66993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66992","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66992","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66992"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66992\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66993"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66992"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66992"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66992"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}