The Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team and Valvoline have launched their Aspiring Mechanics programme in Spain.
It is the seventh market for a partnership already running in the UK, Mexico, Brazil, the US, Australia and Portugal.
Valvoline has invested $1 million to help close a shortfall of 20,000 mechanics in the country, with eighty students aged 17 to 21 began the year-long scheme this week.
The cohort will spend the year working on a car donated by Fernando Alonso’s karting school, before taking it to a circuit for a live run.
Valvoline says the shortfall mirrors a wider gap of 4.3 million mechanics worldwide.
Announced in the lead-up to the TAG Heuer Spanish Grand Prix at the MADRING, with Aston Martin F1 team personnel providing mentorship alongside the training – including visiting students directly.
“Probably, we need to invest a million dollars to close the gap in mechanics,” Michael Kirtman, Chief Brand Officer at Valvoline, said of the investment.
“Globally, we found out there’s going to be a 4.3 million gap in mechanics. We’ve invested a million dollars, and launching in Spain is one of our steps to get there.”
We’re just now planting the seed of aspiring mechanics in Spain, but I promise you, after these 80 students come and see the track, it’s going to spread.
Michael Kirtman
Kirtman framed the Spanish launch as the start of a longer process rather than a finished job.
“When you think about Valvoline partnering with Aston Martin Aramco, we can create these paths together,” he said.
“We’re just now planting the seed of aspiring mechanics in Spain, but I promise you, after these 80 students come and see the track, it’s going to spread.”
