BMW held a Berkshire workshop where five- and six-year-olds designed Lego electric cars to introduce them to engineering. Its research found 78% of parents believe AI will significantly change jobs available to children, while 49% do not know what skills they will need.
Sam Jarvis, BMW Group UK's HR director, said the company cannot predict which skills will be needed in 2036, but believes creativity, problem-solving, communication and working together will remain important. Author and researcher Christine Armstrong said headlines about AI changing or possibly eliminating jobs are prompting parents to discuss careers earlier, and that hands-on experiences can excite children about their interests.
At the event, children also identified car parts in a checklist treasure-hunt game. BMW says it has just under 500 apprentices and employs about 9,000 people in the UK.
