Draper Tools supporting next generation of mechanics
Draper Tools kicked off the new academic year by meeting with hundreds of apprentices and aspiring mechanics and engineers during a tour of several educational facilities around the UK.
Starting at Shrewsbury Colleges Group in September, the series of pop-up events saw Draper Tools, in partnership with Excelr8 Motorsport, bring BTCC driver Nick Halstead’s car to each location, allowing the students to get up close to a real-life race car and find out about being a race technician or engineer.
Alongside this, the students were able to put their mechanics skills to the test with Draper’s interactive ‘Find the 10mm Socket’ game as well as get hands on with the company’s wide range of automotive tools and equipment. There were also opportunities for the students to win prizes on the day, as well as an ultimate mechanics tool kit giveaway to enter.
The series of pop-up events is part of an annual education programme from Excelr8, supported by Draper, and went on to include visits to the automotive departments at Chesterfield College, Barnsley College and the University of Derby.
Fran Weeks, PR and partnerships manager for Draper Tools commented: “We know that skills shortages are a real issue facing the future of the sector, so together with Excelr8, we’re keen to play our part in supporting and nurturing the next generation going into the automotive industry.
“It really was great to connect with so many future mechanics and engineers, we hope they all had fun whilst finding out a bit more about tools and maintaining race cars.
“More than that, we also hope it has helped get the students excited about their future careers. We’re grateful to the colleges for hosting us and want to wish the students all the best as they embark on their automotive journeys.”
Draper Tools, which was a sponsor of this year’s National Apprentice Week in the UK, regularly supports the educational sector with tours, tooling advice and giveaways for students. The company also interacted with several young mechanics at this year’s Auto Trade EXPO in Dublin.
