Halfords apprenticeships call as new academy launched

17 February 2026  

The number of young people starting motoring apprenticeships has fallen 14% in three years, according to latest industry analysis released by Halfords.

However, Halfords said its analysis of apprenticeship data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the number of young people (aged 16+) starting apprenticeships overall increased by 4% year on year.

The ONS data, published in November 2025, showed that in 2024/2025 3,200 young people aged 16+ started motor vehicle apprenticeships in the UK, down from 3,730 three years earlier.

Halfords has recently highlighted the importance of equipping young people with real-world, transferable skills, particularly in areas like engineering, mechanics, and digital technology.

Vocational education

The company has also called for a review of vocational course content as part of the AI Skills Framework launched last October 2025, and is urging the government to put practical training and vocational education at the heart of its AI and skills strategy.

With UK industries such as vehicle repair, engineering and construction facing skills shortages, the vast majority of parents (74%) say they find such practical careers appealing for their children.

Halfords CEO Henry Birch said: “We’re calling on government and industry to work together to make hands-on careers more accessible, more visible, and more valued and reverse the decline in motoring apprentices before it begins to affect Britain’s ability to keep moving.

“We’re also pleased to be announcing the opening of our training academy for our future apprentices as we look to expand our apprenticeship intake and tackle the growing need for more hands-on automotive skills.”

The academy in Hertfordshire aims to recruit up to 250 new autocentre apprentices over the next year.

Photo: Halfords