• This National Careers Week, Ben is promoting its career-related support for those in the automotive industry 
• Ben is also shining a spotlight on why people enjoy working in the automotive industry 
• The charity explores what the future holds for automotive in thought leadership piece

This National Careers Week, Ben, the automotive industry charity, is promoting its support for those who are job hunting or looking to progress in their career.

Ben’s support services team can provide one-to-one support for people in the following ways:

• Practical support for people who are looking for work
• Information, advice & guidance for managing money and maximising benefits 
• Access to Ben’s free Life Coaching service by registering online and completing a short self-referral form. Whether it’s progressing their career, improving their lifestyle, or simply boosting self-confidence, Ben’s team of Life Coaches can help make those goals a reality
• Access to Ben’s digital platform, Silvercloud, with a programme on building personal resilience.

Ben also has a range of work-related tips, advice and tools online to help people get back on track in their career or make the changes they want. The online tools (available at www.ben.org.uk/work) offer guidance and self-help resources on the following areas: 

• Creating or updating a CV 
• Writing a cover letter 
• Job seeking
• Finding the right job
• Identifying transferable skills
• Preparing for interviews.

Ben is also shining a spotlight on what it’s like to work in automotive by sharing real quotes from people about why they joined the industry and what they enjoy about it:  

“The industry never stands still - constant challenge, opportunity, innovation.” 

“The current industry transformation is very exciting.”

“I like the variety. Every customer has different requests and problems that need to be satisfied.” 

In light of the changes happening in the industry, Ben is also exploring what the future holds for the automotive industry in a thought leadership piece by Matt Wigginton, Ben’s Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income: www.ben.org.uk/futureautomotive.  

Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben, said: “We’re here to help and support automotive people working in the industry, including those who are looking to the future, interested in progressing their career or improving their working lives. We can provide information, advice and guidance for job-seeking, CV building and interview skills and be there to support people through any career-related changes. Work is a very important part of our lives and contributes to our overall health and wellbeing. As well as providing financial security, work provides us with social connectedness and builds confidence, self-esteem and a sense of purpose.”

Ben is always there for those who are struggling or in crisis too. When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them. 

With the first official test of the year over and a new racing season around the corner, Team Gresini Racing MotoGP will tackle the new challenge with a new technical partner or their side, and a well-known one: CHT Chiaravalli. Gresini Racing will help the all-Italian company develop the RK chains, which CHT Chiaravalli will then commercialise.
 
Marketing and Racing have never been as tight between the Faenza-based manufacturer and the Varese-based company, both on track again in Algarve on March 9-11. 

ANDREA CHIARAVALLI – GENERAL MANAGER
"We’re proud to be alongside Gresini Racing this season. Our two institutions have always been sharing the passion for this sport and the family dimension: we’re sure that, on top of the values we share off the track, we will also add on-track success!”
 
CARLO MERLINI – GRESINI RACING COMMERCIAL AND MARKETING DIRECTOR
“I’m very pleased to announce this new partnership with CHT Chiaravalli, a name that I’d consider iconic in the racing world. But there’s more: CHT is also a bike component. Thanks to this partnership, we began a series of testing and development of the RK chains, a brand that is distributed by them in Italy, and I’m proud to announce that starting from the last test in Malaysia, our Ducati machines feature their chains. I’m sure that this two-level joint effort – marketing and technical – will make the partnership even stronger. I would like to thank the Chiaravalli family for their trust in our project.” 

Climate membrane, lots of comfort features and extensive customisation options – with its new Storm rain suit, Touratech is taking wet weather protection on motorcycles to a new level.
 
Touratech has reinterpreted the classic rain suit using the latest textile technology. And for good reason: Even in the age of membrane inserts, the tried-and-tested principle of the extra outer layer is far from obsolete. Because unlike in the case of inserts, where the wetness first penetrates the suit as far as the waterproof layer, in this classic combination, the rain stays where it belongs: outside.
One might think that's nothing new, we had that 60 years ago already. But far from it. With the Storm, Touratech merges the basic principle of the classic rain suit with the capabilities of the most modern functional clothing.

aterproof and breathable: laminate with Hydratex technology
The robust blended fabric of the outer material is bonded with a Hydratex Lite membrane to form a completely windproof and waterproof laminate. However, the micropores of the membrane allow effective water vapour transport from the inside to the outside. This means that sweating is not an issue if you're wearing the Touratech Storm – even during physical exertion.
This suit also has reflective sections that greatly improve the visibility of the rider in unfavourable light conditions.
 
Easy to put on and supremely comfortable to ride in
With its two-piece design, the Touratech Storm rain suit is much easier to put on than a classic one-piece rain suit. In addition, the large adjustable Velcro system allows it to be pulled over your boots easily and ensures a tight-fitting leg closure regardless of the type of motorcycle boot worn. Additional Velcro straps enable individual width adjustment. And last but not least, the elastic waistband adjusts perfectly to the figure of the rider.
The Storm jacket offers even more extensive adjustment options. Two Velcro closures at the waist and under the upper arms allow for precise customisation so that nothing pinches or flutters. Further Velcro fastenings at the cuffs ensure secure closure around your gloves.
Two spacious inner pockets offer sufficient waterproof storage space. And when the sun shines again, the Touratech Storm disappears into the space-saving bag provided and can be conveniently stowed away.
The Touratech Storm rain suit is available in black with neon yellow sections in six sizes from S to 3XL. Jacket and trousers can be purchased separately.
 
Further informationon in the webshop

Introducing the brand new range of motorcycle clothing from Triumph Motorcycles in perfect timing for a new season of epic rides. The collection features new colours of tried and tested favourites, mesh jackets and track ready leathers, ideal for whatever your riding style.

Our in-house product developers obsess over every detail, fabric, zip and fastener to bring you the best quality, fully protective riding gear in our most exciting collection to date.

Find the latest collection online and in your nearest dealer.

www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/shop/motorcycle-clothing/new-arrivals/

A motorcycling husband and wife from Ammanford presented a cheque for £360 to the South West Wales region of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity following the couple’s annual “Santa on a Bike” fundraiser.  

The two-wheeled sleigh that Beerhounds Club members Bryan and Petra O'Leary use to deliver hundreds of chocolate selection boxes in return for a donation each December is a 2004 Honda Goldwing GL1800. A deep red, it goes well with the Santa costumes that Petra makes for their delivery rides through Carmarthenshire. It also looks pretty snazzy with the 200 Christmas lights Bryan adds for some festive flair.

However, Petra’s skills with a sewing machine are perhaps only to be expected for she is a seamstress and works at the world-famous Corgi Hosiery site in Ammanford. Bryan, too, puts his professional skills to use, because when not devising a delivery schedule and planning a route for their two-wheel festive fundraising, he can be found driving a refuse lorry for Carmarthenshire County Council.

Bryan says: “Neither of us have any military service ourselves, but we have a lot of friends who do, and there’s a great crossover between the military and biking communities, so it seemed like an obvious idea to do some good.”

Petra adds: “SSAFA’s been around a long time – nearly 140 years – and has helped generations of servicemen and women, veterans, and their families in that time, so we know that the money donated will go towards supporting them when, where, and how they need it.”

The Branch Secretary of SSAFA South West Wales, Paul Amor, says: “The response they get when they are out delivering is fantastic and we are really grateful for having their support.”

And while a long time until Christmas 2023, if on the roads in Carmarthenshire in December you spot Mr and Mrs Claus on a red Honda Goldwing, give them a friendly wave.

To learn how to volunteer or fundraise for SSAFA, or how to access its services, visit ssafa.org.uk/south-west-wales.