Team Repair and iFixit Launch Repair Kits Globally to Rebuild Lost Skills

As global e-waste passes 60 million tonnes a year, children are growing up unable to fix their own technology.

A recent survey from Halfords shows that almost 30% of Gen Z can’t identify a flat-head screwdriver, as society prioritises digital skills over practical ones.

Team Repair, a UK startup, has partnered with iFixit, the world’s largest online repair community, to launch its hands-on children’s repair kits internationally. From October 14th, families across the US and EU will be able to order the kits through iFixit’s global store, bringing the joy of fixing to a generation that’s forgotten how.

Each Team Repair kit contains a real broken Retro Games Console, and all the tools to fix it. Their digital platform guides users through real-life repair challenges, giving them the confidence to fix broken devices.

“There’s been so much focus on the skills that AI is going to replace that we’ve forgotten to train the next generation in the skills it can’t,” said Megan Hale, Co-Founder and CEO of Team Repair. “We’ve spent years teaching kids coding but now many can’t even use a screwdriver, and that’s a massive problem for a world drowning in electronic waste. After much demand, we’re so excited to bring our repair kits to an international audience through iFixit, a global leader in the repair movement, and inspire kids everywhere to pick up a screwdriver, open something up, and fix the future.”

Founded by engineers from Imperial College London, Team Repair has already helped over 14,000 young people across the UK gain confidence with repair. Their data shows that 50% of young people say they’d be more likely to repair in the future after practicing using the Team Repair kits.

“We hear all the time from our international community that they’d love a kit to help teach their kids repair. Team Repair’s kits are best in class,” said Liz Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability at iFixit. “Our mission is to help the world fix everything, and partnering with Team Repair brings us one step closer to that goal.”

The timing couldn’t be more urgent to scale teaching the next generation globally:

• The EU Right to Repair Directive takes effect next year, forcing manufacturers to design more fixable products.
• 62% of organisations across all sectors (including manufacturing, engineering, technical roles) in the UK are currently facing skill shortage.
• Electronic waste is the highest growing solid waste stream in the world.

The kits will be available starting Tuesday, October 14th exclusively on ifixit.com. Quantities will be limited.

Sign up here: https://www.ifixit.com/products/team-repair-diy-retro-games-console-kit

For more information please contact Megan Hale at megan@team.repair.

Press images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QRnnWo0qOPJb-TTVD8i1qroRuzKQH0zM?usp=drive_link