IMI warns of ‘stubbornly high’ auto vacancies

8 April 2024  

Vacancies in the automotive aftermarket remain stubbornly high at 23,000 — highlighting the need to ramp up recruitment in the sector, according to new analysis by the Institute of the Motor Industry.

Post-pandemic recovery patterns, technological advances and changing customer behaviour have all contributed to the vacancy rates bucking the nationwide trend and remaining high at a rate of 4.3 vacancies for every 100 employees, which the IMI said is 43% above the average for all sectors.

The figures were revealed on March 12 by the IMI from its latest UK Automotive Vacancy Overview report.

The IMI said only the hospitality industry has a higher vacancy rate and that sector is seeing significant improvements in recruitment which means its vacancy rates are likely to fall below that of automotive within the next few months.

IMI’s CEO Steve Nash said the gap between vacancies in automotive and all other UK sectors highlighted challenges the industry faces.

“With our sector currently facing around 23,000 vacancies, it’s critical that everything is done to encourage more job seekers to consider a role in automotive.”

The IMI believes the shift in automotive technology — EVs and ADAS — has also intensified the challenges faced by the sector, with 52% of job postings last January seeking vehicle technicians, mechanics and electricians.

The IMI’s ‘There’s More to Motor’ campaign is already spreading the word about the wide range of opportunities for school-leavers, apprentices and career changers, Nash said.

The editor of Aftermarket, John Shepherd, said the IMI’s report underlined the importance to the sector of Top Technician & Top Garage — the annual competitions designed to encourage and support technicians from independent, fast fit and franchised workshops and independent garages and to highlight the UK’s best garages and reward their efforts.

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