{"id":68450,"date":"2025-08-21T04:18:06","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T08:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-automotive-careers\/"},"modified":"2025-08-21T04:18:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T08:18:06","slug":"celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-automotive-careers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-automotive-careers\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating New Voices Shaping the Future of Automotive Careers"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

If you\u2019ve ever wondered how the automotive world is working to become more inclusive and future-focused, the Drivers of Change: New Talent awards are a great place to start. These awards aren\u2019t just about trophies and ceremonies\u2014they\u2019re about rewriting the story of who belongs in this industry and what it means to make an impact.<\/p>\n

What Makes the Drivers of Change: New Talent Awards Different?<\/p>\n

Unlike traditional awards that often focus on established professionals, the Drivers of Change: New Talent awards shine a spotlight on apprentices and those just starting their careers. The idea is simple but powerful: celebrate newcomers who are already making waves, especially those from backgrounds that haven\u2019t always been well-represented in the automotive sector.<\/p>\n

The awards are held in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a respected voice in the UK automotive industry. This collaboration signals a real commitment to change\u2014not just lip service. The ceremony itself will take place at Stellantis\u2019s UK headquarters in Coventry, a location that\u2019s symbolic of the industry\u2019s rich history and ongoing transformation.<\/p>\n

Why Is Diversity and Inclusion So Important in Automotive Careers?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014the automotive industry hasn\u2019t always been known for diversity. But that\u2019s changing, and fast. According to a 2023 report from McKinsey, companies with greater diversity in their workforce are 35% more likely to outperform their less diverse peers. For the automotive sector, which faces rapid technological and cultural shifts, attracting fresh perspectives isn\u2019t just a nice-to-have\u2014it\u2019s essential for survival.<\/p>\n

The Drivers of Change awards are designed to break down barriers and encourage people from all walks of life to see the automotive world as a place where they can thrive. Whether someone\u2019s background is in engineering, marketing, design, or something less traditional, there\u2019s room for them to make a difference.<\/p>\n

Who Can Be Nominated\u2014and How Does the Process Work?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the best part: nominations are open to anyone in the first two years of their automotive career or currently working as an apprentice. There are no restrictive categories or checklists. If someone\u2019s story stands out\u2014maybe they\u2019ve brought fresh thinking to a technical challenge, championed diversity and inclusion, or simply shown grit and determination\u2014they\u2019re eligible.<\/p>\n

Anyone can nominate a colleague, mentee, or even themselves. The process is straightforward and designed to be accessible, not intimidating. And with entries closing on 10 September, there\u2019s still time to put forward someone whose journey deserves recognition.<\/p>\n

What Kind of Impact Have Past Winners Made?<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, 40 individuals were recognized in the inaugural Drivers of Change awards, many for their work in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Their stories are as varied as the industry itself\u2014some have launched mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, while others have introduced innovative solutions to technical problems.<\/p>\n

One standout example: a young engineer who, after joining from a non-traditional background, led a project to make electric vehicles more accessible to people with disabilities. Another winner used their platform to advocate for mental health support within their company, sparking a wider conversation that\u2019s now led to tangible policy changes.<\/p>\n

How Do These Awards Fit Into the Broader Industry Landscape?<\/p>\n

The Drivers of Change: New Talent awards are part of a bigger movement within the automotive sector. Alongside events like Autocar Great Women\u2014which celebrates female rising stars each spring\u2014these initiatives are helping to build a more dynamic, welcoming industry.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just about ticking boxes. By recognizing and supporting new talent, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, the industry is investing in its own future. The outcome? A workforce that\u2019s better equipped to tackle the challenges of electrification, automation, and sustainability.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for the Drivers of Change Awards?<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, the awards will continue to evolve. The plan is to keep them in the autumn calendar, giving new talent a regular platform to shine. And with no strict categories, the focus remains on the individual stories and the real impact people are making.<\/p>\n

If you know someone who fits the bill\u2014or if you\u2019re that person\u2014don\u2019t hesitate to submit a nomination. It\u2019s not just about recognition. It\u2019s about opening doors, changing perceptions, and building a stronger industry for everyone.<\/p>\n

Why Getting Involved Matters<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, the Drivers of Change: New Talent awards are more than just an event\u2014they\u2019re a signal that the automotive industry is ready to embrace change and champion new voices. Whether you\u2019re an industry veteran or just starting out, supporting initiatives like these helps ensure that the next generation of automotive leaders is as diverse, innovative, and resilient as the challenges ahead demand.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re passionate about driving real change, now\u2019s the time to get involved. Nominate someone, spread the word, or simply follow the stories as they unfold. The future of the automotive industry is being built right now\u2014and everyone has a part to play.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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

New awards will celebrate rising automotive talent from under-represented backgrounds<\/p>\n

\n

There is still time to submit your nominations\u00a0for the Autocar Drivers of Change: New Talent awards – ahead of entries\u00a0closing on 10 September.<\/p>\n

Held in association with the SMMT, the Drivers of Change awards \u2013 returning with a new focus after a successful launch earlier this year \u2013\u00a0will celebrate\u00a0individuals 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,\u00a0that 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. We will name the stand-out stars, and the company that is doing the most to support new talent, in a ceremony\u00a0at Stellantis’s UK\u00a0headquarters in Coventry on 13 November.<\/span><\/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":68451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-68450","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\/68450","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=68450"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68450\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}