Automotive vacancies set to top 160,000

The IMI is predicting up to 160,000 vacancies in the automotive industry by 2031.

It believes that despite a two per cent decrease in the total number of jobs in the sector, an aging population, decreased immigration and the green agenda will exacerbate the skills crisis over the coming years.This is according to its Automotive Sector Employment report, which predicts that vehicle technician will be the most in-demand role, accounting for up to 16% of total vacancies. 

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI said, “The industry faces its biggest skills challenge of the last two decades. We have been lobbying government, the automotive industry and the education sector for a long time to invest in addressing the shortage in qualified EV technicians, and the majority have stepped up to the challenge. But our latest report worryingly reveals that the UK’s lack of EV skills are just the tip of the iceberg. 

“An aging population is a significant contributor to the dilemma. Many of our older workers are set to retire over the coming years and fewer younger workers are joining the labour force. Without doubt, more needs to be done to attract young blood into the UK’s automotive sector.”

However, a Perception of the Automotive Sector survey carried out by the IMI’s Diversity Task Force found that just 16% of the 1,600 school-aged and young children questioned considered the automotive sector a viable career, with poor salaries and a misunderstanding of job roles the main dissuading factors.