Rising apprenticeship rates won’t plug skills gap warns IMI

10 February 2022  

A 67% rise in apprenticeship starts during the 2020/21 academic year, an increase that is also 16% higher than was seen prior to the pandemic, will still not be enough to fill the widening skills gap according to the IMI’s recent Automotive Education Report.

IMI Careers and Student Membership Manager Joanna Hollingdale commented: “Automotive apprenticeship starts have had one of the smallest percentage yearly increases, with only travel and tourism, manufacturing and sport, leisure & recreation with smaller increases.

“What particularly concerns us is the lack of take-up of the apprenticeship levy. Only 35% of automotive apprenticeships were levy-funded in 2020/21 compared to all apprentices that were 61% levy funded.”

She added: “With such a big task ahead of the sector in terms of being ready for the new automotive innovation, from ADAS and connected to zero emissions, it is crucial that employers build their pipeline of a trained workforce and the apprenticeship levy can play a vital role in supporting this task.”

To find out about funding employers can access, visit: https://tide.theimi.org.uk/apprenticeships-epa/provide-apprenticeship/levy