It is no secret that one of the major challenges faced by the automotive industry is the skills shortage that has impacted the sector for years. The aftermarket in particular has suffered from a lack of investment in education and training, making it increasingly difficult to attract and retain the next generation of skilled workers. There are many reasons that the motor trade finds itself in the depths of a skills shortage, but perhaps the best place to start is the changing landscape of the automotive sector over the past decade. Technological advancements and changing consumer behaviour continue to drive transformation, and it has proved difficult for the aftermarket to keep pace. The recent rise of electric vehicles has necessitated a shift in skill requirements within the industry. While progress is something that should be celebrated, the supply of 60 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2023 TRAINING www.aftermarketonline.net TIME FOR CHANGE In the face of the ongoing recruitment crisis, investment in training and development must be part of the solution skilled professionals has unfortunately not kept up with this rapid change, leading to a shortage of qualified technicians. Root causes But what exactly are the root causes of this? For starters, there isn’t enough awareness of a career in the motor trade among young people coming through school and going into either further education or straight into working life. Younger generations’ lack of knowledge about the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available in the automotive aftermarket has held our industry back for quite some time now. Misconceptions still exist that the aftermarket is a low-tech and undesirable sector. Unfortunately, this clouds many people’s judgement about the considerable opportunities that exist within the industry, including the capacity to work with the advanced technology that has become increasingly prevalent within the aftermarket. This has been compounded by a decline in vocational education and an overemphasis on traditional academic paths, which has not only impacted our sector, but many others too. With less exploration into honing technical skills, young people may not have the appetite and desire to embark on a career that requires this skillset. As a result, a significant gap has grown between the skills required by the industry and the skills possessed by job seekers. I mentioned earlier how the rapid technological changes that have impacted the industry have outpaced the training and development of skilled professionals. Everybody within the industry is well aware of the complexity of electric and hybrid systems, advanced diagnostics, and computerised vehicle management systems that are becoming part and parcel of day-to-day life in the garage. These systems and technologies demand an extremely high level of BY Wayne Daniel, UK Operations Manager for Point S Tyre & Autocare
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