Southwest ‘most popular for aftermarket jobs’, says report

The southwest of England has become the most popular region for jobs in the automotive aftermarket, according to a new report by Glen Callum Associates (GCA).

GCA, a specialist recruitment company in the industry, said the report also indicated a significant number of candidates are being drawn from allied industry sectors to fill skills gaps.

According to GCA’s third quarter report for 2024, released on October 18, England’s southwest has emerged as the most popular job location, which the company said reflected an increase in industry demand in the region.

While the majority of candidates (60%) were from within the automotive aftermarket, 40% came from allied sectors, demonstrating an ongoing trend toward skills-based talent acquisition as opposed to recruiting purely for aftermarket expertise.

Workplace flexibility

Flexibility in work arrangements also remains a key preference, the report said.

In Q3, 50% of placements were for office-based roles, while 44% were remote, and 6% followed a hybrid model.

This data reflects a continued emphasis on workplace flexibility, which has been shown to improve employee retention and productivity, GCA said.

Notably, 6% of all placements were executive positions, indicating a strong demand for leadership roles as companies focus on long-term growth strategies.

Skills shortages

Sales, marketing and operations roles dominated in Q3, making up 77% of total placements. Senior executive and management roles followed at 14%, while IT and data jobs represented 9%, underlining the industry’s digital shift.

The engagement with allied sectors signalled a broader acceptance of transferable skills, allowing companies to tap into a wider talent pool to tackle skills shortages, said GCA director Kerrie Richards.

GCA director Glen Shepherd said: “Adapting recruitment strategies to current trends is essential for companies looking to thrive. As the industry evolves, we recommend taking a proactive approach to hiring that embraces skills-based assessment, enabling businesses to consider candidates from both industry-specific and allied sectors.

“By understanding these trends and adapting hiring practices accordingly, companies can remain competitive, attract top talent and ensure business sustainability in the changing market.”