Hayley Pells - the mechanic engaging the next generation

As part of the recent Footman James Indicator Report, we discussed how the classic vehicle scene is attracting younger audiences, as well as the areas that need a little work… While we don’t know exactly what the future holds for our sector, we do know that we need to welcome the next generation of enthusiasts with open arms – and do more to prevent the potential skills shortages on the horizon within the classic vehicle industry. 

This week, Footman James sat down with Hayley Pells, Porfolio Mechanic at Bridgend’s Avia Autos, who’s spent the last few years working hard to engage with new generations of classic car enthusiasts. 

“If you know someone in the automotive sector, you’re so much more likely to follow in their footsteps,” begins Hayley, who joined the family repair workshop business in 2006 after a career in the Royal Air Force. “My dad is a chassis tuning specialist and has been involved in single seater racing for as long as I can remember, while my mum used to race motorbikes.” 

It’s clear that while Hayley appreciates the advantage of being born into a family of petrolheads, she’s also well aware of the challenges faced by those on the outside looking in. 

“We now have generations of people who may be interested in a career in the automotive industry but aren’t connected by family. It often seems like an unknown world for those people, so we all need to make sure we’re addressing that and promoting the opportunities that are available.” 

Following the closure of the Ford Plant in Bridgend, a major employer for the local area, Hayley helped to take over the manufacturer’s Saturday club with Bridgend College, aiming to attract teens approaching the end of secondary school. After adapting the syllabus to cover a broader range of topics, the club was re-established. In March of this year, Hayley’s work was recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry and used as an example case study. 

“We received over 1,700 enquiries when registrations opened, despite having only 8 places available,” says Hayley. “At this point, we understood there is a demonstrated interest from young people regarding how vehicles work.” 

“It’s so important to capture the imagination of young people before they leave school,” continues Hayley. “Those students who don’t decide to remain in education risk disappearing off our radar. We might not get the chance to engage with them again.” 

For Hayley, however, the work begins much earlier than that. In partnership with Business Wales’ Big Ideas Project, she’s visited schools to try and change the perception of what a typical mechanic looks like - working with primary age children as young as six up to those sitting exams. 

“Before the visit, the children are asked to draw a picture of what they think a person doing a certain job looks like – from a firefighter, a doctor, to a mechanic. For us, its now clear that those gender stereotypes are emerging even at the earliest stages. Our job is to try and challenge this, way before these students are making career choices further down the line.” 

Hayley’s outreach work with  involves a whole host of engagement methods, including the Ospreys Outreach Programme and The School of Thought. Hayley says much of the success is down to roaring interest that young people have towards classic cars, as well as the immersive style of the projects she is involved with. She remains a firm believer that classic cars provide the ideal learning platform, as well as offering an affordable private transport option for young people. 

“One of the main reasons why classic cars can be hugely successful for generations to come is simple. They were designed to be maintained and repaired by a layperson with even the most basic tools and skillset. If we continue to engage with younger generations and nurture their interest in all things automotive, the classic vehicle scene will be in safe hands for many years to come.” 

What do you think the classic industry can do to peak the interest of young people? Let us know in the comments below!