3 minute read
CEO’s message
How open are you to change? How willing are you to embrace new technologies and new ways of doing things? We like to think that, as automotive business owners, we’re great at adapting to change. After all, carmakers are inventing new tech for us to get our heads around all the time.
But we’re about to find out how true this tale we tell ourselves really is—because we’re now living in a period of incredible and rapid change and it’s going to fundamentally change our industry.
Fortunes are going to be made. New people are going to rise to the surface to lead us. In twenty years’ time, as vehicles become increasingly connected, autonomous, shared and electric, our businesses may look very different. That’s why this month’s Ignition focuses on the next generation—because it’s vital we’re always looking forward.
It’s one reason Capricorn has invested in Shift4Good, a global impact venture capital fund that aims to decarbonise the transport sector for goods and people. It’s backed by institutional financial investors and major industry players, with the goal of identifying and supporting the auto industry’s best emerging entrepreneurs with in-depth sector knowledge and financing. Teaming up with Shift4Good is part of our strategy to scout for and empower ground-breaking mobility ventures. We know the world of mobility is changing, and in a world of rapid change we must keep an eye on the future and the opportunities that new technology and business models could present.
But there’s more to ensuring the longevity of our businesses and our industry than just the technology. Of equal importance are the people who will work in our industry and lead it. We must encourage, grow and support the pipeline of talent— our next generation of technicians, business owners and entrepreneurs. Vital to this (and, yes, I’m banging a drum that I’ve used many times before) is bringing on more apprentices. Two in five Members told State of the Nation Special Report: The Skills Shortage they were very or extremely likely to take on an apprentice in the future—a figure that’s up five percentage points on 2022 and nine on 2021. It’s wonderful to see the industry responding so positively to this fundamental need. Problematic, though, is the fact the data also shows 43% of Members lost an apprentice before the apprenticeship was finished. We don’t just need to attract the next generation of talent, we need to retain it as well.
One way we can do that is to support and encourage the talent we already have by nominating our top-performing apprentices for the 2024 Capricorn Rising Stars. Past winners have been truly inspiring people with great futures in our industry. Even if you’ve nominated your apprentice before, please nominate them again this year at cap.coop/stars. Last year’s winner, Chelsea Bowers, had been a finalist the previous year, so persistence pays off!
The future is full of opportunity—for our apprentices, our businesses, our industry. It’s exciting. Let’s embrace it.
