The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will return to the NEC Birmingham on 3-4 June 2026, with an enhanced focus on skills development, workforce diversity and attracting the next generation of automotive technicians.
Organised by Messe Frankfurt UK, the event is specifically designed to equip the garage, body repair and detailing sector with the training, technology and tools needed to navigate a rapidly evolving automotive landscape. Building on strong attendance of more than 5,000 aftermarket professionals in 2024, the 2026 edition will place even greater emphasis on addressing the industry's skills challenges.
As vehicle technology advances through electrification, ADAS, connected systems and advanced materials, the aftermarket faces increasing pressure to build and retain a skilled, adaptable workforce. UK Garage & Bodyshop Event 2026 has been shaped specifically around this challenge, offering free access to live, hands-on training across multiple specialist zones where experts will demonstrate repair techniques, diagnostic procedures and calibration methods that technicians can immediately apply in their workshops. Recent Tyre News coverage shows strong demand for practical diagnostics tools and calibration resources.
Beyond technical training, the event aims to reshape perceptions of automotive careers. The UK aftermarket has long struggled to attract new talent, partly because many young people remain unaware of the breadth of career opportunities available, from diagnostics and calibration to technical leadership, digital roles, business ownership and engineering.
To inspire future professionals, the show will once again feature the Ignite Arena, a dedicated space for students, apprentices and young talent. The arena will offer live entertainment, interactive talks, competitions and meet-and-greets designed to showcase career opportunities across the industry. Complementing this, the Automechanika '30 Under 30' programme will celebrate rising stars within the sector, with the top 30 young professionals selected by an expert panel and honoured at an exclusive networking event during the show. Entry to the awards programme is free.
The event will also continue driving conversations around gender balance, career progression and transferable skills, supporting pathways into the trade from other industries at a time when the skills gap affects workshop productivity and profitability across the UK.
Hundreds of leading suppliers, distributors and training partners have already signed up to exhibit, showcasing emerging technology and workshop solutions to help businesses make informed investment decisions on EV tooling, workflow software and ADAS calibration systems.
Joanne Knowles, Event Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, commented: "The heart of the aftermarket has always been its people. UK Garage & Bodyshop Event is designed to support them—the apprentices starting out, the master technicians evolving their knowledge, and the workshop owners steering their businesses through change. This event is about giving the trade confidence in the future, visibility of the opportunities ahead and a sense of pride in the skills that keep Britain moving."
Tagged with: UK Garage & Bodyshop Event, NEC Birmingham, technician training, EV safety, ADAS calibration, apprenticeships, skills gap, diversity in workshops, diagnostic tools, aftermarket careers
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