PTS Boom Students Create Mini Car Obstacle Course to Jumpstart Automotive Careers

Boom, Belgium – Students from the wood department at PTS Boom in Antwerp have teamed up with automotive sector organisation EDUCAM to build a mobile obstacle course for miniature remote-controlled cars. The initiative is part of a larger effort to spark youth interest in the automotive industry by offering hands-on learning experiences.

Funded by EDUCAM, the project brought together students from both the woodworking and automotive technology departments. The goal is to showcase automotive technology and inspire students to pursue careers in the field — a move seen as essential to addressing the ongoing labour shortage in the sector. The project will debut at the school’s open day on April 26 before touring various technology expos across the Netherlands.

“It was fun. It’s mainly to show people what we do here, and what the possibilities are within the sector,” said student Quinten Bril.

“We learn everything about automotive technology here that we can’t learn at home, and that’s how we work on our passion every day. I hope that everyone who has the same interest will follow the training,” he added.

PTS Boom has reported growing interest in its automotive training programmes, a trend the school believes is vital to meeting employment demands in the sector.

“There is a shortage of workers in our sector. That is why we want to attract young people with this project to follow training in the automotive sector,” said Luk Vandenhoeck, project coordinator at EDUCAM.

Belgium’s automotive sector is bouncing back strongly after the pandemic-induced slump. In 2023, new car registrations surged by 30% to 476,675 units, approaching pre-COVID levels. This was a significant recovery from the 366,000 registrations recorded in 2022 and the highest since the 550,000 units registered in 2019, according to data from the Mobility and Transport Ministry and industry federation Febiac.

Electric and hybrid vehicles significantly reshaped the market in 2023. Together, they accounted for nearly half of all new registrations. Fully electric vehicles made up 19.3%, plug-in hybrids 21%, and self-charging hybrids 7.6%. In contrast, traditional petrol vehicles held 42.4% of the market, while diesel cars dropped to just 8.9%.

Despite the rebound, the sector continues to grapple with a shortage of skilled workers. Industry players and educational institutions see initiatives like the PTS Boom obstacle course as essential to attracting and developing future automotive talent.

This article was originally published by Eurotoday.


Comments

6 responses to “PTS Boom Students Create Mini Car Obstacle Course to Jumpstart Automotive Careers”

  1. napoleonic haze Avatar
    napoleonic haze

    Oh, brilliant! Nothing screams ‘future of automotive careers’ like a mini car obstacle course—because who wouldn’t want to start their career dodging tiny traffic cones? 🚗💨 Next stop: Formula 1! 😂

  2. Oh, brilliant! Because who wouldn’t want a mini car obstacle course to ignite their passion for a career in the automotive sector? 🚗💨 Next, we’ll have a Lego factory tour to inspire future architects! 😂

  3. firedog Avatar

    So, let me get this straight: students are racing tiny cars while the industry is crying for real drivers? Just what we needed, a mini Le Mans to solve a full-size labour crisis. 🏎️💨

  4. yellow menace Avatar
    yellow menace

    Oh, look at them, building a miniature car course to lure in the next generation of mechanics—because who wouldn’t want to go from remote-controlled cars to fixing actual engines? 🚗💨 Talk about a serious career path, eh? Just what we need, more folks revving their engines in a classroom! 😂

  5. snout 
pixie Avatar
    snout pixie

    So, we’re training future mechanics with toy cars now? Brilliant, because nothing screams “automotive career” like remote-controlled bumper cars! 😂👏 Must be a great way to prepare for the real-world gridlock! 🏎️💨

  6. Impulse Avatar

    Creating a mini car obstacle course to spark interest in the automotive industry? Brilliant! Nothing screams “future mechanic” like remote-controlled cars dodging tiny cones. 🙄 Who needs hands-on experience when you can just play with toys? 🚗💨

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Ukraine Reports Russia Damaged Over 200 Railway Locomotives in 2026

Ukraine Reports Russia Damaged Over 200 Railway Locomotives in 2026

Kyiv, July 04, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Russia railway locomotives have become a key focus of the ongoing conflict after Ukrainian officials announced that more than 200 Russian railway locomotives have been damaged since the start of 2026. Ukrainian authorities said the losses have affected transport assets that play an important role in moving military equipment, fuel, and commercial freig

Read More

World News Summary: Risky Homecoming in Lebanon, Displacement in Gaza, Emergency Aid for Somalia

World News Summary: Risky Homecoming in Lebanon, Displacement in Gaza, Emergency Aid for Somalia

Few specifics have emerged about the resolution to the conflict that began in late February, affecting the Middle East, Gulf, and beyond.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported observing reduced violence and fire exchanges in the south, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have been engaged since the crisis started.
Stay in place
On the humanitarian side, OCHA noted some fami

Read More

Thousands Attend Khamenei Funeral as Iran Enters National Mourning

Thousands Attend Khamenei Funeral as Iran Enters National Mourning

Tehran, July 04, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Khamenei funeral ceremonies began Saturday as thousands of Iranians gathered in the capital to mourn the country’s late supreme leader following his reported wartime death. Large crowds filled streets surrounding the main ceremony, carrying Iranian flags, portraits, and religious banners while security remained tight throughout the city.
State Funera

Read More

The Test That Detects Hearing Loss Missed by Doctors

The Test That Detects Hearing Loss Missed by Doctors

Imagine facing challenges in understanding conversations in a bustling restaurant or staying on track in a busy office, only to be informed by a doctor that your hearing is normal. This is the frustrating situation for individuals with cochlear synaptopathy, also known as hidden hearing loss.
According to the Hearing Health Forum EU, approximately 34 million adults in the EU experience disablin

Read More

A Walk with Ulf Poschardt

A Walk with Ulf Poschardt

The coalition is making new reform attempts, but a significant tax reform is still pending. Gordon Repinski talks to Ulf Poschardt about the Merz government’s ability to act and whether Germany is still capable of reform. Poschardt criticizes the political culture in Germany once again. He calls for revolutionary approaches instead of merely continuing the status quo, citing historical figur

Read More

Trump Plans National Mall Rally to Celebrate U.S. 250th Anniversary

Trump Plans National Mall Rally to Celebrate U.S. 250th Anniversary

Sarhan Basem is Eurotoday’s Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful comment

Read More

What Occurs in the Brain During Vacation

What Occurs in the Brain During Vacation

The onset of a vacation often follows a common pattern. Initially, we vow not to check our work chat. The next day, we might “just check” for urgent matters. By the third day, we begin to appreciate the waves, the coffee aroma, or the mountain air. Between turning off notifications and experiencing sound sleep, our brains undergo subtle rewiring.
Vacations, often seen as rewards or luxuries, are

Read More

Ukrainian Woman Sought After Monaco Assault

Ukrainian Woman Sought After Monaco Assault

The suspect, identified as Anastasiia Berezovska, reportedly “conducted several site surveys” disguised as a man before the attack, according to the head prosecutor.

Read More

Trump Savings Accounts Launch Amid US 250th Independence Day Celebrations

Trump Savings Accounts Launch Amid US 250th Independence Day Celebrations

Washington, D.C., July 04, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — Trump savings accounts officially debuted as the United States launched its year-long 250th Independence Day celebrations. The new investment initiative was announced alongside nationwide Fourth of July events, making it one of the most significant policy announcements tied to the America 250 program. The accounts are intended to provide el

Read More

Polluted Air Proven to Harm Memory

Polluted Air Proven to Harm Memory

The effects surpass the impact of a decade of aging
The brain area responsible for storing general world knowledge
Air pollution has been associated with lung disease, heart issues, and early mortality. Recently, researchers have uncovered additional evidence suggesting that the air we breathe may also influence brain function as we age. A study by UC Davis Health and Kaiser Permanente reveals th

Read More