SAIT Sponsors Skills-Gap Fighting Student Racing Team

SAIT UK is delighted to announce its sponsorship of student car restoration and racing team, Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation (OUMF).

Fostering the future with hands-on experience

OUMF has been providing practical on-the-tools experience to the students of Oxford since 2005, helping them to gain meaningful hands-on skills in addition to their academic degree studies. Students from either university can join to learn key skills and good practice, as well as enjoy the spirit of a team-based sport. Their aim is to foster a passion for engineering and high-quality manufacturing that will benefit British industry as a whole – no matter what specific sector they go into following graduation.

SAIT UK was approached by Ding Boston, co-ordinator of OUMF, as their previous sponsor, Toolmaster (Oxford) Ltd, had sadly ceased trading. They had been receiving SAIT powerfile belts for a number of years through Toolmaster and had exhausted their current stocks. SAIT UK were happy to step in and take up the sponsorship directly so the students could continue with their projects using the tools they know and love.

“OUMF is extracurricular, voluntary, has no paid staff, receives no funding and the practical projects through which members gain these skills are supported solely by donations from the public and industry,” says Ding, “The focus is on historic cars that the students completely restore and prepare for competition, as they incorporate and demand a multitude of skills to be practiced and learned – from welding, machining, turning, trimming, sewing, milling, woodworking, painting, electrics etc., and a familiarity with all aspects of basic mechanical systems”.

SAIT powerfile belts in operation in the OUMF workshop © Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation

Fighting the skills gap

The OUMF’s clear mission to tackle the skills gap was a major motivation for SAIT’s decision to sponsor.  According to a 2024 report by The Manufacturer and Barclays, 75% of UK manufacturers cite ‘shortage of skills’ as their biggest barrier to growth. The report also highlights a disconnect between educational institutions and manufacturers, which has resulted in a growing necessity for manufacturers to take responsibility for upskilling their workforces.

When SAIT did its own research with metalworking decision makers back in September 2023, just over half of respondents agreed that their organisation could be doing more to overcome the skills gap overall. But in many ways this is easier said than done – with experienced workers retiring in their droves and those who remain increasingly time-poor as a result, shadowing opportunities are reduced and training times extended. OUMF’s work is therefore crucial in providing manufacturing and engineering with confident and proactive individuals who can hit the ground running when they enter the workplace.

OUMF members with SAIT burs and logo decals © Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation

Pragmatic support for an award winning team

OUMF have completed numerous restoration projects during their two decades, the results of which they take to and compete with at events across the UK and within Europe. Some of their most recent successes are:

• For the past 5 months their very successful 1965 Riley 1.5 rally car has been on exhibition in the entrance to the British Motor Museum at Gaydon at the invitation of the managing director Jeff Coope
•  OUMF was presented with the national award for 'Support of the Next Generation' at the 2024 National Restoration Show
•  The OUMF team won their first race of the season two weeks ago at Donington Historic Festival with their Sebring Sprite project after winning the best presented car award at the National Classic Car Show at the NEC
•  They have just received an invitation from Lord March to race their sister Riley 1.5 race car project in the prestigious 'St Mary's Trophy' at the Goodwood Revival in September.       

Jenny South, Marketing Manager for SAIT UK, commented “From the first time Ding got in touch, it was evident that the OUMF is incredibly passionate about tackling one of the major issues facing industry today. It’s clear that this passion transfers into great results, both in terms of prestigious recognition for their projects and producing highly pragmatic alumni to feed industry demand. It’s a pleasure to support them and we look forward to following the story of their continued success”.

As well as supplying the belts, SAIT UK have provided aluminium-cut tungsten carbide burs for a tricky modification of an aluminium gearbox bellhousing, and have introduced the team to SAITAC D-VEL 6S – their top-tier hook and loop disc. They hope to support with further items as the relationship continues and new practical problems to solve arise.

The team's prized Riley, now sporting SAIT decals © Oxford Universities Motorsport Foundation

The OUMF’s first outing with SAIT as official sponsors is at Ypres European Historic Rally from 27^th – 28^th June 2025. The SAIT team extend their good wishes to all OUMF members attending and look forward to the updates from the event.