In addition to those companies and organisations exhibiting in the centre - which focuses on providing career guidance, professional development information and training opportunities - a bigger and better reception area will feature hands-on vehicle demonstrations and computer simulators.

The industry is showing strong support for the Skills Centre again this year, in response to widespread acknowledgement of a skills shortage across the entire sector. Delegates, career guidance professionals and students will benefit from the knowledge and advice provided by exhibitors and Skills Centre hosts. DAF, Isuzu and Iveco have donated equipment for display in the Centre, where demonstrations and activities will be planned, as well as seminars on various career-related topics throughout the show.

Tracey Shelley, chief executive of the SOE IRTE, expressed industry-wide concerns about the future of the industry. "Professional bodies such as the IRTE have been working closely with CV Show and ATS exhibitors to identify possible solutions to the growing problems within the commercial vehicle and retail motor industries.

"We all know that outsiders are generally not aware of the excellent career opportunities in road transport and as a result the number of young people interested in starting their careers in this business is decreasing. The Skills Centre aims to inform young people and professionals in other sectors about the reality of working in this industry, and offer guidance to engineers already working in road transport who want to make a career move. Overall, we want to reflect the enthusiasm in this industry and to convince people they can have a long and successful professional life working for the companies that exhibit at the show."