HiQ Tyres & Autocare takes apprentices behind the scenes at Silverstone

As the paddock prepared for an exciting weekend of British Touring Car Championship racing at Silverstone, HiQ Tyres & Autocare, as part of the wider Goodyear family, hosted its second annual apprentice day, inviting a range of apprentices, franchisees, centre managers and experienced technicians to attend a motorsport experience event.

With a network of more than 280 autocentres and service partners across the country, HiQ Tyres & Autocare has been backing the independent garage trade for more than 30 years. With this in mind, it welcomed its franchisees and apprentices for an immersive motorsport experience at the home of British motorsport.

From the garage, to the track

The event was aimed at HiQ’s apprentices, who gained an insight into the opportunities available to progress within the industry and apply the skills that they are learning in their day jobs in the world of motorsport. But the invitation was also extended to a range of centre managers and experienced technicians to see the workings of a motorsport paddock in preparation for a race weekend.

Throughout the day, the technicians learned how the skills they use in their garages apply in the paddock and enjoyed learning about the role of Michael Butler, Goodyear’s BTCC Event Leader, who provided his fi rst-hand insight having begun his career as an apprentice himself.

Butler explained: “It was a pleasure to meet the HiQ technicians and hear about the work that they do in the fi eld. It makes me feel very proud to see the impact that Goodyear has across so many areas of the business. I began my career as an apprentice, so I appreciate how daunting those fi rst steps can feel, but the HiQ technicians are well placed to thrive within the network and beyond.”

The guests also had the chance to participate in practical demonstrations, joining Goodyear’s skilled team of race technicians through the process of preparing and fi tting the tyres used in the championship, and looking beneath the bonnet of a touring car, all of which are comparable with everyday consumer road cars that they encounter in their garages.

Adam Davies Operations Manager, HiQ Tyres & Autocare Network Tyres Group, attended the day along with two apprentices from the group.

He said: “I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn about this other side to being a technician were it not for being part of the HiQ Tyres & Autocare network. The day gave us the chance to learn from the Goodyear team and understand the opportunities we have as technicians to progress into the world of motorsport, while also allowing us invaluable time away from the garage with our apprentices to learn about their aspirations and how we can better support them.”

Craig Sprigmore, Retail Director, HiQ Tyres & Autocare, adds: “It is important that we nurture the talent within the network, which is why events like this are so rewarding. Last year, our apprentices visited our head offi ce to see the business operations that keep the network running smoothly. This year, we wanted to show them a completely diff erent side to the industry.”

HiQ Tyres & Autocare supports its network with business development, training opportunities and chances to attend events that would not be possible without the backing of one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers.