The main reason is the small number of young people choosing to become mechanics. The next edition of the “Talent Race” competition is intended to increase interest in this profession among students of technical schools.
The competition gained substantive support from Polish technical universities and automotive companies such as Petronas and Bridgestone.
Particularly noteworthy are the substantive aspects of the competition, which refer to everyday challenges in workshops, where mechatronics and electronics play an increasingly important role. The competition tasks are intended to show young apprentices how to combine theory with practice.
Polytechnics emphasize the importance of education in the context of changing automotive technologies. Professor of the Poznań University of Technology, Ph.D. engineer Grzegorz Ślaski, points out that it is also important cooperation between schools and the automotive industry, so that young people have access to the latest solutions and tools.
Experts also point out that technical knowledge alone will not meet modern requirements – soft skills are also necessary. A comprehensive, professional approach to customer service, including appropriate communication, helps build the company’s reputation, which also affects its income.
– It is no longer just about mechanical repairs, but about a comprehensive approach to customer service and expanding the scope of services provided – explains prof. Silesian University of Technology, Ph.D. engineer Anna Timofiejczuk. – The ability to communicate with clients, work time management, and process organization become extremely important. The combination of technical competences with interpersonal skills creates truly valuable specialists, which is why when preparing the competition tasks, we also took this aspect into account, she added.
Dr. Eng. Maria Skrętowicz from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, in turn, drew attention to the importance of workshop education in the context of technological changes related to the electrification of road transport.
– Until recently, electric cars were sent to independent workshops very rarely. This, however, will change as sales of these vehicles increase both on the primary market and private imports of used cars appear. Operating these cars requires appropriate qualifications and knowledge also for safety reasons – she emphasized.
