Aftermarket October 2022

NEWS The skills crisis could reach crisis point by 2031 a new IMI report has warned, with 160,000 vacancies in the automotive sector that will need filling, and a shift in the balance of power from employers to jobseekers may already be happening. The roll-out of EVs and the impact of COVID-19 have played their part according to the latest Automotive Sector Employment Report, along with lower immigration and the fact that there are less working-age people able to partake of jobs in the industry. The startling prediction comes despite the fact that the report also expects the number of jobs in the sector to actually fall by 2% over the same period. Vehicle technician will be the most in-demand role, accounting for 16% of vacancies. Commenting on the report, IMI CEO Steve Nash 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.” The IMI’s Diversity Task Force conducted a ‘Perception of the Automotive Sector’ survey to understand career misgivings and motivators about the industry. The survey was completed by over 1,600 school-aged children and young people, as well as 448 youth influencers, including career professionals. While over half of 16-18-year olds surveyed said they had a clear career plan, just 16% said they had considered the automotive sector as an option. In the short term, garages looking for new staff may find that applicants have the upper hand, as the number of job vacancies rise and the quantity of filled permanent roles hits the lowest point in 17 months, sector recruitment specialists Glen Callum Associates (GCA) have noted. A recent report from KPMG indicated that recruiters are struggling to hire new staff, blaming ongoing skills shortages, among many other factors. Glen Shepherd, Director of Glen Callum Associates, observed: “There’s certainly a tighter supply in available candidates at the moment, but lots of roles still to fill, especially in the automotive aftermarket. Recruiters and hiring companies are having to work extra hard to attract and engage with potential candidates. As a result, it’s imperative that they become specialists in candidate attraction and engagement. However, this poses a great opportunity for candidates looking to secure their next move.” This is pushing up salaries as well, as Glen noted: “Amid the market uncertainty and with the cost-of-living crisis still on everyone’s minds, affecting whether people even look for a new role at the moment, we’re seeing companies willing to make significant investments in a bid to attract new talent. He added: “With roles continuing to grow, now is a good time to be a jobseeker. They will benefit from working closely with specialist recruiters who understand their specific needs and can advise them of new opportunities and the options available to them.” To view the IMI’s Automotive Sector Employment Report, visit: https://tide.theimi.org.uk/sites/default/files /2022- 07/Automotive%20Sector%20Employment% 202021-31_0.pdf For more on the skills shortage, turn to Big Issue on pages 8-11. 4 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2022 www.aftermarketonline.net Motor sector skills crisis: 160,000 empty vacancies by 2031 and jobseekers in driving seat today?