Training, development & wellbeing 47 www.aftermarketonline.net MARCH 2026 Money worries are placing growing strain on automotive families and financial pressure is one of the most significant challenges facing people working in the industry, says automotive sector charity Ben. The charity continues to support thousands of individuals and their families each year who are struggling to make ends meet. To highlight the scale of the issue and encourage people to seek help, Ben launched a new financial wellbeing campaign on ‘Blue Monday’, January 19, a day often associated with low mood and heightened levels of stress. The campaign, which has continued to run across Ben’s channels, aims to raise awareness of the support available for those experiencing money worries and the impact that financial pressures can have on physical and mental health, as well as relationships and overall wellbeing. Ben said the charity has seen a rise in people needing urgent financial assistance, including help with food, rent, utility bills and vital support to keep a roof over their heads. Financial stress rarely exists in isolation. Ben is also seeing more people facing complex and overlapping challenges, with money worries affecting wider health and wellbeing, both for automotive workers and their family dependants. The scale of the issue is significant. Ben’s latest survey report revealed that 1 in 6 industry people are skipping meals to save money, and 1 in 5 are experiencing issues with debt. These pressures are adding to everyday stresses and contributing to ongoing mental health challenges across the industry. This trend reflects a wider national picture. The Financial Wellbeing Index, which surveyed more than 5,000 workers, found that 77% said money worries affected them at work. Rachel Clift, CEO at Ben, said: “If you’re struggling with a difficult situation and need support, our experienced helpline advisors and case managers are ready to listen, support and look after you.” Online support is available at www. ben.org.uk/money or visit www.ben. org.uk/gethelp or call the helpline: 08081 311 333. Automotive workers also have free access to SilverCloud (www.ben.org. uk/silvercloud), Ben’s therapeutic platform, which includes a programme focused specifically on money worries. New Ben push to ease Ꭾ QDQFLDO worries DENSO teams up with LKQ for training boost As an approved LKQ supplier, DENSO has joined forces with the group to make the first of several of its air conditioning (AC) training modules – the basics of AC and AC components – available through the LKQ Academy portal. DENSO has a reputation for sharing its extensive original equipment product knowledge with the service and repair industry, exemplified by its pioneering online technical training, which provides free access to a multitude of modules, tackling a range of topics across the company’s products. Always looking at ways to improve the reach of this material and further engage professional technicians, DENSO launched its League of True Mechanics (LOTM) online training competition in 2020, with courses accredited by the IMI. The LKQ Academy, which also provides IMI accredited training to its users, is another online platform dedicated to raising standards and increasing knowledge across the service and repair community. “Providing hardworking aftermarket professionals with the information they need to do their job better, and more efficiently, is a common goal for DENSO and LKQ,” said DENSO’s sales manager for UK and Ireland, Kevin Peacocke. Visit www.denso-am.eu for details of the DENSO Aftermarket programme.
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