In 2019 SMMTjoined forces with the Royal Foundation of the now Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and the Ministry of Defence, to launch Mission Automotive, a new charitable partnership that helps service leavers and veterans into jobs in the sector.

Unveiled at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and delivered by Mission Motorsport, the Forces’ Motorsport Charity, Mission Automotive distils the charity’s seven years’ experience in placing veterans into employment across the UK automotive industry.

Since the first Invictus Games in 2014, Mission Motorsport partners, including Jaguar Land Rover, DHL, Westway Nissan, Alcon and Bicester Heritage, have already helped 1,700 veterans, including over 150 ex-servicemen and women categorised as wounded, injured or sick, into work.

Mission Automotive maps military skills to qualifications required by the sector, delivering sustainable and relevant employment opportunities for service leavers, veterans and their partners. It also lets the industry tap into a pool of unrealised talent to fill skills gaps in everything from components, infrastructure and software through to manufacturing, logistics, maintenance and repair.

As the move to electrification and related technology gains pace, the initiative will also provide a welcome boost as ex-forces personnel across all three services already possess highly relevant skills in high-voltage technologies and systems.

On 10 February 2021 SMMTsigned the Armed Forces Covenant, reaffirming the importance of recruitment and retention of veterans and service leavers for automotive industry. The pledge commits SMMTto promoting best practice, fostering a culture and ethos of inclusivity, and making the commercial case for automotive companies to also sign up to the Covenant.

The SMMTCharitable Trust Fund has provided The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) bursaries to support seven students since 2019. The bursaries allow students an opportunity to purchase workbooks or equipment to develop their learning and development.

Of the Future Talent Awards recipients: 40% are from an Asian Black and/or mixed ethnic background, 27% are women, 13% are over the age of 25 and 18% are disabled or have a long-term health condition.

ISO 14001 is an independently audited international environmental management standard. By the end of 2021 SMMTalready reduced its CO2 linked to the office operation by 63% on the 2013 performance and it continues to progress in 2023. SMMTpassed the ISO audit on 17 November 2022 and is looking at ways to step up its environmental performance and commit to a Science Based Target.

The 23rd edition of this longest running sectoral report was published on 11 July 2022. SMMTcollate and summarise the sustainability and environmental initiatives and statistics of signatory member companies to promote the sustainability activities and achievement of the industries and to inspire improvements and socially responsible actions. Last year’s report highlights the industry’s net zero and Science Based Targets commitments to reduce its contribution to climate change. The next edition of the report will be published in Summer 2023.

Greenpower Project

At the November 2021 meeting, it was approved that the grant awarded for 2020 could be carried over again into 2022 as the project was again unable to run due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Since the club reopened in September, they are able to accommodate more members and they plan to run a Greenpower project again to build the car in 2022 with a view to racing it in 2023. – Replace with text (Link to St Andrews)

Toyota Working Assets Participation

At the November 2021 meeting, it was approved that the grant awarded for 2020 could be carried over again into 2022. Toyota plan to commence the project in May 2022.

IET Engineering Horizons Bursaries

The SCTF are currently supporting a bursary for six students. One has now graduated, two are now in their final year and three in their first.

SMMTApprentice Support Programme

The SCTF agreed to provide grants to contribute towards the cost of apprentice salaries for struggling SMMTSME Members. Total grant available of £100,000. The programme relaunched in Q4 2021 and one successful applicant was awarded a grant to support the cost of their apprentice for one year.

Careers in the Automotive Industry

The SCTF agreed to provide a grant to fund a publication – A Guide to Careers in the Automotive Industry in collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers. The publication was launched in May 2022 and will be available on the SMMTwebsite. To download the Automotive Industry Career Guide click here.

SMMTNominated Charity

91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø’s nominated charity for 2025 is Sarcoma UK. Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma.

Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme

Boosting employment of the Armed Forces community – after SMMTachieved the Gold Award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme – via strategic internal policy and helping Mission Automotive to engage with members.

St Andrew’s Youth Club

A grant to local St Andrew’s Youth Club to enable them to continue a project developing young people’s interest in transport engineering while they are still at school. This year the project converted bicycles into electric bikes, with students coming from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Institute of Technology

Ongoing funding for the Institute of Technology (IET) to provide bursaries for multiple university students. SMMTattended IET’s Meet the Scholar event to speak with two of the students, with one due to take on an automotive work placement.

Ben Automotive Industry Charity

Funding to support Ben Automotive Industry Charity’s cost-of-living grants which form part of its Money Worries and Money & Debt programmes.

Drive to Thrive

Relaunching the Drive to Thrive Scheme in partnership with Ben Automotive Industry Charity for the 2024/25 academic year, with SCTF providing new funding to provide UK apprentices from disadvantaged or minority backgrounds with up to 44 hours of driving lessons.

Women on the Move Against Cancer

Charitable donations to Women on the Move Against Cancer (WOMAC), 91ÖÆƬ³§¹ÙÍø’s staff-nominated charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, local charity The Passage, which seeks to end street homelessness, and local church St Matthew’s which provides safe environments and activities for vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

ActionFunder

SMMTalso began engagement with ActionFunder, a community fund connecting local projects with business grants to create social value across the UK.

The membership referral program was introduced in May 2021. Members who make an introduction that leads to a new member joining SMMTare awarded with either a £50 Amazon voucher, or a £50 donation to a charity of their choice. From this we have made three donations in 2024 to the following charities:

• Hospital & Hope (on behalf of Nissan)
• Local village hall (on behalf of Public Affairs Group)
• BEN (on behalf of Equipmake)

SMMTcollaboration with the British Motor Museum

SMMTwill collaborate with the to offer the opportunity for four apprentices to win a spot to take part in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run in November 2025. The British Motor Museum will provide the cars and the training; SMMTwill support the communications strategy and select the winners from SMMTmembership.