{"id":69141,"date":"2025-09-01T16:18:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:18:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry\/"},"modified":"2025-09-01T16:18:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T20:18:07","slug":"celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/celebrating-new-voices-shaping-the-future-of-the-automotive-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating New Voices Shaping the Future of the Automotive Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Are the Drivers of Change: New Talent Awards Making Headlines in the Automotive World?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever wondered how the automotive industry is tackling diversity and fresh talent, the Drivers of Change: New Talent awards are a story you\u2019ll want to follow. These awards aren\u2019t just another round of trophies\u2014they\u2019re a real push to spotlight rising stars from under-represented backgrounds and to recognize companies that are actively supporting them. With nominations open until September 10, there\u2019s a buzz in the air about who will make the cut this year.<\/p>\n

What Sets These Awards Apart From Other Industry Recognitions?<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it: the automotive sector has a reputation for being tough to break into, especially if you don\u2019t fit the traditional mold. The Drivers of Change: New Talent awards, held in partnership with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), flip that script. They\u2019re not just about technical brilliance or years of experience. Instead, they celebrate apprentices and early-career professionals\u2014those in their first two years\u2014who are already making waves.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s the kicker: there are no rigid categories. Anyone who\u2019s made a meaningful impact in their first role can be nominated, regardless of their specific job or department. It\u2019s a refreshing approach that puts the spotlight on real stories and tangible contributions, not just job titles.<\/p>\n

How Are Companies Being Recognized for Supporting New Talent?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just individuals getting a nod. The awards also shine a light on companies that go the extra mile to nurture new talent. In an industry where mentorship and support can make or break a career, this recognition is a big deal. Companies that foster inclusive environments, provide hands-on training, or champion diversity initiatives are all in the running.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, 40 individuals were recognized for their work\u2014many focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)\u2014at a ceremony hosted by the SMMT. These stories serve as proof that when companies invest in people, the results speak for themselves. It\u2019s a win-win: employees feel valued, and businesses benefit from a broader range of perspectives and ideas.<\/p>\n

Why Is Diversity and Inclusion So Critical in the Automotive Industry Right Now?<\/p>\n

The automotive world is changing fast. Electric vehicles, autonomous tech, and new mobility models are rewriting the rulebook. To keep up, companies need fresh thinking from a wide range of backgrounds. According to a 2023 report by McKinsey, organizations with diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their less-diverse peers. That\u2019s not just a nice-to-have\u2014it\u2019s a business imperative.<\/p>\n

Events like Drivers of Change are helping to break down old barriers. By celebrating those who might not have had a seat at the table in the past, the industry is sending a clear message: talent is everywhere, and opportunity should be too.<\/p>\n

How Can You Get Involved or Nominate Someone?<\/p>\n

Got someone in mind who\u2019s shaking things up in their first automotive role? Or maybe your company is leading the way in supporting new hires from all walks of life? Nominations are open now, and it\u2019s easy to put forward a deserving candidate. There\u2019s no need to worry about fitting into a narrow box\u2014just share their story and the impact they\u2019ve made.<\/p>\n

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Stellantis\u2019s UK headquarters in Coventry on November 13. It\u2019s a chance for the industry to come together, celebrate progress, and inspire the next wave of talent.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Next for the Drivers of Change and Other Industry Initiatives?<\/p>\n

The Drivers of Change: New Talent awards are part of a bigger movement. Each spring, the Autocar Great Women event highlights rising stars, while the autumn slot is now reserved for Drivers of Change. This cadence ensures that recognition isn\u2019t a one-off\u2014it\u2019s woven into the fabric of the industry calendar.<\/p>\n

By keeping the spotlight on new talent and diversity, these initiatives are helping to reshape the automotive world for the better. It\u2019s not just about who\u2019s building the next great car\u2014it\u2019s about who\u2019s building the future of the industry itself.<\/p>\n

The Takeaway: Why This Matters for the Future of Automotive<\/p>\n

If you care about where the automotive industry is headed, keep an eye on the Drivers of Change: New Talent awards. They\u2019re more than just accolades\u2014they\u2019re a sign that the industry is opening its doors wider than ever before. By celebrating early-career professionals and the companies that support them, the awards are helping to ensure that the next generation of automotive leaders reflects the world we actually live in.<\/p>\n

So whether you\u2019re a newcomer, a mentor, or just a fan of cars and innovation, there\u2019s never been a better time to get involved. The road ahead looks brighter\u2014and a lot more inclusive\u2014thanks to initiatives like this.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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

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

\n

It’s 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 second running of the\u00a0Drivers of Change awards will celebrate\u00a0individuals who are either apprentices or in the first two years of their career, and the company that’s doing the most to support them.<\/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

For the New Talent edition,\u00a0that can be as simple as having started and made an impact in a first role 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

<\/p>\n

<\/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":69142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69141","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\/69141","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=69141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69141\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.globalvillagespace.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}